Panic

Electricity in the fingers,
and a toad caught in the throat,
a furnace in the stomach,
though I shiver in my coat.

Refrigerator Post #1

there is a woman of languid beauty

bare breast and black dress blowing

Permeated

When the body's left unguarded,

when the mind and soul are free,

sometimes infections creep in,

and they take control of me.

Infection causes clouding,

like the octopus and ink,

and inside my head, I'm drowning,

which makes it really hard to think.

You may ask, "Who's that gaping?"

and say, "It's really rude to stare."

But I'm vacant and don't notice,

not awake enough to care.

Questioning

I've loved you many times, welcomed you, if reluctantly. I open my arms and you fade. This time, maybe you'll stay.

Exhaustion

Drip-drop, one foot before the other.

I'm bled dry,

empty,

whisperings fading.

Crumbling like sandstone,

a bit at a time.

Unwanting

Let's leave this place,

shake off the dust, the memories, and the early feelings.

We'll cut the ribbon tying us to them,

break our bodies, join our souls.

I can't imagine wanting.

My desire exists for you alone,

your ankles twined with mine.

What more could I ask you for?

We're not like them, you know.

They'll say we are,

pleading with us,

but you know the truth.

An Unfinished Ode

These summers have come to an end.

She sleeps here no more,

blossoms crushed 'neath her brow.

Her girlish bower wilted,

wild roses long faded.

Leaving without a backwards glance,

with rings on her fingers

and flowers in her hair,

she's off to find her lover.