Storm Gray
the color of cloud and wave
as twilight enters
into a newness of storm
the darkness is driven
by sky-white birds
their feathers turning purple
in the waning light
clouds take on sharp edges
pulling rogue waves
up to join them
until foam becomes cloud,
clouds fall into sea foam
I wait, barefoot and cold
peering into the neutral light
for Venus,
holding her savage court
beneath a coy, half-shell smile...
Passion's Envy
"Passion's envy, what a name for a girl!"
the old woman smirked to her husband
eyeing the young blonde dancer
the way a tabby eyes a carp
the blonde danced
flinging miracles of movement
out to the waiting audience
her steps exact and intricate
her body a fluid mixture of music
and smoke
rising from steamy broadside lights
wrapping the dancer in color
her hair
became tinseled in silver
her eyes
grey oracles
"I think it's a good name"
her husband answers
viewing his last glimpse of passion
with January eyes.
Snake
The sheets lay coiled
like a frightened snake
she tossed the eggs in the skillet
the heat
reminded her of last night's unfinished date
cut short by too much laughter
at his embarrassing remarks
too much liquor
to ease the disquiet
and not enough of anything
after their lovemaking
that was her word
she didn't like his
His words
his touch
his breath of sour stomach
dressed as wine
She heard the bedroom door open
flipped the eggs
then returned them to the fire
deciding all at once
to let them burn.
Floral Conversation
I seed the truth
with little flowers
each bloom
adds a dash of color
to the perspective
from which I speak
But
through the years
each of my words
have slowly become suspect
Perhaps from too many stray seedlings
of exaggeration or humor
and so,
I have learned
to only speak in flowers
to my friends.
Stonehenge Winter
The sky walks between stones
Winter adds its own silence
to the heavy shapes outlining dusk
they are engaged in passive resistance
as snow buries itself
between cracks
along edges
around bases
Inside the ring of stones
too cold for weeping
spirits gather
a late night celebration
on ground newly hallowed
from the silvered touch
of Lady Solstice
Gentle hand.