Windbreaker

Back from the forest
gray bark, shadowed paths
returned to the back door
slipping in unheard for just
a moment

now and then
at once
on the edge of seen

but unseen
awareness of wounds
and
weariness
impossible
improbable
unattempted

pulling off wet jacket
sodden and cold
rubbing numb fingers
waiting
dropping to the floor
lightly

she hears the thud
but only she
with open ears
wishful thoughts
can tell

It has fallen
to the linoleum
later
someone would wonder
why she'd left it
behind


an imprint unwanted
a reminder of
protection lost
proof of
unbidden
unease
a hidden
demise
wrapped in
unraveling fabric

Touched

gazing into your eyes
caught
dark pools reflected
my face
captured by your being
stopped
there before you
watching
you see
me

scared
of
diving
into the deep
of seeing
all of you
I looked away

Without you here

I long for
your eyes
touching mine.

A Caress

In the heat of the day
when the sun is almost unbearable
I want to reach out and
draw you under the shade of my tree

There the grass is cool
the water flows freely
All villainy is at bay
Dreams can dance among the leaves.

Beneath the branches all armor can be dropped
the cool breeze can spin between us
interweaving our thoughts
lifting our hopes to
spiral out into the sunlight.

Sweaty Release

Hot red,skin burns
after moving
sliding
gliding
popping

into place
moistening
filling
slick with
salt water relief
hot day, hard work
sensuous swivels
embrace
as two
wash each other
with converging
oceans of longing

The Deep End

Deep below the surface
unseen power awaits
her arrival

an unfettered self
dives first plunging
fingertips beneath

glassy cold currents
washing upwards covering
warm skin

embracing elbows
clenched biceps
parting for closed eyes

Blackened visions encircle
slipping a whole being
underwater

Flailing limbs
burning lungs overflowing
overcome
with fear

searing agony biting
threads of flesh within
fizzling flames until
hope arrives

Buoyantly dancing
interlacing fingers
opening eyes
to a floating
embrace

Healing Waters

seeking cleansing
for
a truer
joyful
self

she visited
the hill

hearing
that
a chance existed
to
find tenderness
and heal

the hole
that bore
deeply
into her being

she dropped
to her knees
despairing to find

only after
dipping into the

waters

following the
moistening of lips

no truth
behind the promise
little hope
for a cleansed spirit

only stagnant water

and
a poisoned well

Clean Slate

Bleary eyed walking
stumbling over stones
toes wet with dew

downward focus
precarious footholds
slippping
muddied

new ground
running water
cuts the path

knocked down
floating
riding
currents

clear, strong
quenching
parched lips
seeping in
drenching
drowning