Scotland

coastal bittersweet-
north winds blow the raging sea
against the breakers

highland cliffs-
amethyst heather
in bloom

Sunlight

sensing acceptace
evil walks in the daylight
no longer afraid

sunlight-
insects scatter
from prying eyes

Reckoning

staring at myself-
the bottom of a shot glass
looking back at me

oasis-
an empty carcass
in the sand

Cancer

hard conversations
and a tongue well versed in the
dialogue of death

cherry blossoms-
walking the garden
with just enough poison

Hung

staring unfocused-
bloodshot sky barely noticed
through these bleary eyes

cottonmouth-
a morning dove
splits my skull

Heat

arid desert sands
old leather cracking in the
unforgiving sun

rising smoke-
a candle’s
last remnants

Dawn

waiting for the sun
thready morning clouds make way
for her arrival

open windows-
awake before
the alarm

Silver

waning pewter clouds
part to reveal the dark moon
hidden in plain sight

silver threads-
weaving by
moonlight

Battle

curling up in pain
the taste of salt on my lips
from licking my wounds

echoes-
broken antlers on
the forest floor

Transformation

staring at myself
I see that I have become
what I feared the most

predawn-
coming awake
in a stranger’s mind