Darkness

heavy evening air-
silhouettes of hunting bats
in the fading light
–
drawn curtains-
low clouds
full of malice

offer me darkness
and take me to the places
I would never go
–
gnarled trees-
green eyes glow
in the shadows

in the evening sky-
the suggestion of darkness
from the crescent moon
–
new moon-
black before
the dark of night

working down towards
the bottom of a bottle
searching for solace
–
after the rain-
a raven
hewn from coal

with help, exploring
the haunted attic spaces
deep within my mind
–
dancing alone
the ghosts
of past lovers