Lie Down

Lie Down

Strangely, 
come strangely the sticky night,
where skin melts to skin
and arms hold tight
And eyes stare boldly
at a black space
where devils lie.

Strangely, 
come strangely the thought that I
have said all 
I ever had to say
Felt all there is to feel, until

absolute disintegration.
My heart beats slower than it did
than it might
There's less blood in me
than is good or right
And if sadness weren't
so great I might chase it.

Strangely, 
come strangely the stealthy dawn
where the grey light scares me
into sleeping
for an hour or two. 
I dream

that when I peer inside
you are empty as the tin-man
and that my legs are full of straw.
And when the full sun turns
you to a lioness, my burning lips
search for courage in your scars.

Winter's Tale

WINTER'S TALE

Perdita,
darling, I asked for you
when the cold night drew
visions
across my skin.

There's no use pretending.
I waited for you,
Perdita,
Watcher of the Watchers
Guardian of the Lost.

In perfect darkness,
sheet across sheet,
we meet -
Ghost train lovers.
Extend an arm to the fallen.
Beg repose
but clasp to the pyre;
to catharsis in fire.

Paulatim,
the act fades
into laughter.