Breathless.

I long to be that sweet air

which drifts past those parted curves.

White virtue seals their red gates

but wind's smallest finger reaches casually

and without a key easily enters.

How cruel to be barred from earth's best treasure

and on top of bondage watch

with unjust simplicity an unknowing thief

enter and leave with brazen confidence.

Swiftly in and just as quickly out

leaving where I long to linger

How daring in it enters

and how fearfully it flees.

I would test my own courage

against this answer and those flashing teeth

I have been stabbed by those eyes,

wounded by that quick tongue

but still in the fray I would press

further and deeper in.

Step aside, air, thou coward's foe

and let me stand on thy battleground.

Come dear, my only love,

I will take your breath away.

Option B to a Serenade

the thing which bought back the night
was a plastic pellet

shoved uncermoniously
down the plastic muzzle
of my sleepless sniper's revenge.
it is funny how a thing so small
could make such a mess.
there were feathers everywhere
and the night was silent.
there were feathers everywhere.
and I was not sorry.

All in good time.

A pair of birds have taken up residence

in the tree outside my window.

They must be newlyweds

the way they talk late into the night

with the same four notes

over and over again

(I love, I love, I do, I do).

I wonder what made them pick

this particular place--

If it is a good neighborhood

for new eggs and young chicks

or if, being barely out of their old nests,

they cannot afford the live oak

that sits stately across the sidewalk.

This tree is old and respectable even

if perhaps it drops more leaves than it holds

and seems a good place for a beginning.

Its' branches start high off the ground

and the corner of the building

blocks most of the wind.

All in all it is a nice start

with a solid seat and twigs for walls

and some scraps of bright thread

set with a natural eye for colour

it will be a home.

I welcome them to it

and wish them goodnight

as well as perhaps some sleep.

Even with such a sweet refrain

after two I wish they would. . .

refrain.

Afternoon

There was a moment
when the wave seemed to solidify
and in rolling across the sand
became a white lace curtain
tumbling to reveal a woman
salt streaked and almost sensual
sprawled on the foam edge

We were children out of school
mermaids were to be expected.
The shore was full of treasures
like seaweed, shells, or the small grey crabs.
One day my brother found a starfish.
He poked it with a stick
but they would not let us take it home.

Phoenix 2011

Burma

Come and I shall fold

these shattered hills around you.

We will hide beneath them

and make shadow puppets

of the stars.

There shall be a peace in the twilight

when the shadows have not grown

but in the dark the trees sound

like footsteps

and the long mouth

of the scratched and silver monster

breaks forth in laughter.

Oh my child, quiet now-

perhaps it was only a dream.

This time is different than the times

before

when you woke to the burning glee

of those that would destroy us.

This time, this time

it is just a dream.

Look how I have built the hills

into a home for us-

we shall call this rock a wall,

and this tree a room.

I shall fold my shattered arms

around you and we will sing

the old songs and the old stories

and the old safety will grow

fragile at our feet.

I will build a home for us

out where nothing can touch us

and the night is as empty

as ever it could be.

O my child, my quiet child

I shall fold the hills around us.

How silent your laughing mouth

in this laughing dark.

taper boast

Do not ask me

my sweet my star

where I have gone

where I have been

I have been among the mountains

and between the doors

beyond the thousand locks

and over the hundred walls.

The clouds have been grey.

The sky has been blue.

The sun rose and set--

I did not forget you.

I have walked among the dreams

of many men who dream beyond me.

I have sought the stars

many miles below the sea.

I found peace and began war

Woke and returned to sleep.

There were a hundred doors

and a thousand keys...

I have worn through six iron shoes

twelve horses and eighteen hankerchiefs

and in my sleep I could not sleep.

Do not doubt my seemed conceit.

I am he of whom the mermaids sing

and the willows whisper in their grief

of my long leaving and finished deeds.

Did you whisper too?

to sea and sand and rock?

Do not tell them--

they love to mock

all that was with what could be

and what was not with faded proof.

Keep your heart well silent

burn the darker torch

by your window watch

but do not be seen

and when I am of the dreams made king

you shall at last be made a queen.

but haste and away

this is at last the break of day.

Do not ask where I am going

I am already gone.

Mountainside

Come careful across the dry streambed

Walk where once water ran

wet and strong over its smooth stones

singing on its own river theme

Water runs still over smooth cheeks

wet and strong the growing grief

Come careful across the streambed

Step softly through the dry winter grass

Walk where once green grew

bright and new through the strong soil

a brave flag in the whistling wind

Still the stalks stand and the wind blows

but no new life will ever grow

Step softly through the winter grass

Walk with me my long lost love

I am climbing the mountainside

Come with me my lonesome light

It is dark and soon will be night

O my love, my only light,

Where have you gone

to leave me all alone?

Come carefully, step softly,

Walk with me my heart

I am climbing the mountainside

We should not be apart