Time

trying to balance-
one foot on the precipice
of your adulthood
–
the arc of the sun-
change made
in a single day

beauty and danger
your small delicate flower
surrounded by thorns
–
clearing haze-
following the trail
of blood diamonds

the magic kingdom-
selling scraps of happiness
at a fat profit
–
finally awake-
finding nothing
behind the curtain

your silver hammer
softly tapping cracks into
my porcelain heart
–
soft breathing-
your hair gold
in the sunlight

echoes in the walls-
this unfurnished apartment
hiding its secrets
–
harvest moon-
cool wind
in the corn field

the front door ajar-
shards of glass litter the hall
of my ruined home
–
crows take wing –
a fir crashes
to the forest floor

late into the night-
pouring over lesson plans
and student papers
–
a clenched fist-
time still runs
through my fingers

wings skim the lake as
a great blue heron takes flight
in the predawn mist
–
the rising sun-
hidden amid
the cattails

in the driving rain-
train doors close as a blue suit
runs past my window
–
dripping leaves-
rippled shadows
in clear water

a raging torrent-
black water choked with debris
and bad memories
–
murky waters-
stirring up
the past