Distance – Page 38

Swells

waves rise up and fall
the rhythm of the ocean
moves us together
–
surfing-
the swell
of your hips

families asunder-
buzzards circling high above
the southwest desert
–
riding the smoke-
wild horses
in the distance

doe-eyed sycophants-
suckling at the teat of
this festering pig
–
overcast-
the lack of sunlight
goes unnoticed

lying in my bed
beautiful and poisonous
twisted in the sheets
–
african sun-
death lurks
in the tall grass

as venus rises
the sun on the horizon
sets the trees aglow
–
western fires-
too soon dowsed
by a deluge of stars

looking back in time
pictures of who we once were
under cellophane
–
rich brown soil-
an old green tin
a child’s treasure

holes in the floorboards-
the regal oak panel door
left hanging askew
–
no longer a home-
dim autumn light
caught in the cobwebs

wide open prairies
the promise of a new life
in every acre
–
covered wagons-
homesteads built
on sacred land

the knife in my back
carved the windows in the walls
I’d built for myself
–
creeping ivy-
ruins of stone
foundations

awake in my bed-
dawn eases through my window
gilding all I see
–
a web of stars-
blackbird songs
invades my dreams