shifting legs
keeping the tide at bay
holding breath
keeping the words hostage
fingertips
whispers
no need for grand gestures
when all the world
is contained
in one drop
when so much pleasure comes
it can’t be contained
but has to be shared
and the joy
of the joining
surpasses
everything
dark
shifting hands
keeping bodies close
holding fast
keeping gazes locked
climbing
piercing
opening a sliver in the sky
exposing flickers
something beyond
clouds or stars
when nothing could be sweeter
or as tangy on the tongue
than the drop of potion
and the joy of the joining
surpasses
everything
dark
Sleight of Hand
well that’s just ridiculous
shadows and sleight of hand
it’s magic, that’s what it is
why don’t we saw each other in half
and just get it over with
nobody will believe you chose me
you’re the damn ringmaster
while my spangles are tarnished
my tights are in tatters
and you shine like the noonday sun
so steady, stoic
bloody dashing, good
did you start as a lion tamer
because you’ve soothed my beast
we kissed, you cupped my cold hands
I may have set my sights too high
but never reached for the rings
I just dreamt and there you were
you fell but maybe I tripped you
we have no net now
traveling together
we’re freewheeling through space
bystanders entertained
small children delighted
I have no need of a big finish
so put away your plans
don’t you see
it’s not the high wire but the trapeze
we’re meant to fly and meet and part
and meet again
because it’s sweet
I can dust myself off
but never match your glow
but if you let me bask a little
I’ll do my part
and we’ll hold onto real magic
Ruined
Ruined
spent
smeared
breathless
bent
Tainted
drawn
gagged
shaken
caught
Lost
pained
whipped
inside
bound
Damaged
licked
bled
taken
gone
the other side
I had to hurry
the trees were curling inwards
threatening to cover the trail
I could barely keep ahead of the destruction
dark pines were dappled with amber light
the smell of smoke pervaded
I still wasn’t sure if this was even real
there was no slowing down
even around the sharp curve
my feet pressed to go faster, further
memories of other escapes assailed me
I could taste the terror
the metallic flavor of fear
I was making my way through the tumult
expecting the hills to fall down around me
but finding a path, though it grew smaller
darkness settled in
eventually comforting me
as it halted the flow of disturbing images
other senses took over
but somehow became skewed
to my own version of reality
was it what I hoped
or what I feared
or was it the truth
any questions I had I held in check
as I realized that though there had to be others
I was in fact alone in this
after traveling far
whether by time or distance, I’m still not sure
a glimmer arose in the horizon
and I knew I was on the other side
Richer With You
your arms wrap around me like a cozy sweater
your warmth seeps into my cold bones
let the wind whip all around us
a dream is withstanding this storm
my dreams were not big enough
my scope not nearly as wide as could be
so many unexpected delights
there’s so much more we’ve found
exploring, finding comfort
expressing, needing kindness
touching, feeding the fires within
thinking, sharing ideas
tasting, traveling with senses
escaping, shutting out the world instead of time eroding the magic
rather than routine wearing away at the shine
the years that pass just seem too fast
it gets better and richer with you every time
The Word Rummager 