Untitled #22

shine a gaslight, dear.
mind your raven hair
fair skin
you’ll see merit in
this circus with

laughter
large as a universe - light
anger
equally as cold - dark

i shouldn’t
have loved you
caressed your face
or cupped your soul
with calloused hands
though
i do not regret

once
while you slept
splayed open on the bed
i saw your heart
beating
single rhythm time
bump bump bump
so different from mine
bump bump bump bump bump bump
a sign
ignored
who could resist such
indifference

the sun set on
our tapestry now
it floats
image fading
to a wash of waves
a new day

look back
years
through hazy history
remember the
salt and sugar both

i had
no dominion
or desire for it
remember me fondly
a friend
a lover
a cool wind on
sun stretched skin
a walk through an orchard
where
tiny apples hang too high
on cranky crooked trees
bending to fall
or
a kiss
cool with moonlight
on a cheek hot with
sleep

I never lied
stretched words to solution
better or worse
i spoke
i hope you never feel
regret


Michael Lorne Leard