the dulling of color
stark scene holds secrets
white bone bridges
the undergrowth
buried
and laid sleeping
through an old woman’s eyes
her scattered
children
like leaves
toss in fitful dream
dancing fragments
of a grander vision
raped branches scream
scratch a broken sky
trawling earth
for green
life in blue waters
beneath
her twitching lid
and the silence
that covers all
held in expectation
held within
your pale skin
fragile tissue
wrapped intentions
and neatly packaged hope
for her life
for spring
everlasting.

– Previously published 2001