As a child, earnest
As a late-day water lily bloom
As a hopeless romantic
Thrive despite the shallow
Give the coolest shelter
Live to love and fight
To be free from such rules
To grow in the coming dark
To rise from it all each day
Shine spilled everywhere
Once again, I’m left to grow
A beautiful mess
Love is coming today
To this address
To take love away
Stopped back then and stayed
Entirely by mistake
Too polite to have told you so
Now it would be wrong
Continuing the charade
Unfair to you both
Love is coming tonight
Too soon
To say good day
My dear Oppressor
Although it bothers You not
You do piss Me off
I know and You know
You’ve not a conscious conscience
I’ve not a strong will
Ice posing as something benign
Have you believing I’m only tiny daggers
Draw closer
Hear
Cathedral chimes
Strike an unholy fear into you, I will
Begin with me the wintry journey
Dying, now that the falling is done
Come back, will you?
Taller next time
Wise enough to yield
While I command the Summer
Piece of some screenplay.
Hoped it was a script, I did.
But no — it’s your life.
On look out
Why, I?
Wanting her, Liberty
Freedom from all the ways I’ve done her wrong
Or forgiveness
Her eyes, corroded-coppery
Bore one capital “L” unto mine skin
“A Mighty Woman,” I was warned
And so I came, tired
And she welcomed me
And I extinguished her, still
My eyes were
Just at peace
Found their home
Enthralled
Candycane-swirls
Looking at you
Looking at her
Your eyes were
Far away
Some new home
So my eyes were just
Just and at peace

Who each woman is
Does she smell like lavender fields
More worthy of obsession with each passing Day
Why the fabric of her dress upon her skin causes men to sing?
The Earth springs forth, as I imagine, musical notes with her every step. Yes.
Such passion must she follow, as to leave us inspired
Her smile draws from an endless-deep joy well
Words from her soul have him come hither, a pulling of magician’s scarf
Juicy
Miracle from God
I met my match in you
Which of us has the quieter lips
The longest green stare?
Mechanical
Bastard, but not exactly
Father-figure to everyone, you
So help me now
Let’s dance, like you said, damn it