something stirs
the evening’s bliss
quivering strings
fold strange music
whips through stone
drafts misty gray
your memory ghosts
these strange halls
long past wanting
those dark curls
pearls of blue pierce
these somber days.

cotton candy sweetness
that sideways glance
the soft of her cheek
round of the back
fingers knitted swinging
walking the park afternoon
how tall he loomed over
sturdy, planted firm, safe
cast his loving shadow
even over East Drive ‘scrapers.

the thumping sound
hollowed ear
the scream of pain
cool waters won’t heal
down the rail
the clenched finger
racing thoughts
consumes
images of you
caught
in flashing light
racing
sporadic glimpses
into the twisting
night
wind whipped
and wandering
temporal rages
your quest for home
nullified
to matters
of survival
and flight.

at the end of mind
the little bird
passed silently

the leaves
blanketed
distant promises

like rain
his eyes
your shelter

promising release
the desert’s thirst
tiger skies

virga approaching
in fading light
escaping

first star
calling
a wishing well

treasures lost
dreams awaken
found again

and held precious
as fingers close
’round.

the old house
boarded up
barnacles with ice plant
where once graced
her grandmother’s lace
handmade candles
the old port bottle
a work of art
face pressed
the dirty window
while the sand shifts
footprints long ago
the constant roar
once comforting
now a siren echo
crying you home.