sunset blood drains
from transient clouds
as the bone-white moon
hangs in haughty defiance
over a jaundiced prairie

and as the life-giving sun
descends into its earthly grave
centuries of ghosts
whisper their hollow secrets
on the northern wind

they speak only of yesterday
amid the coagulating darkness
having long forgotten
the radiant life of today
and the promise of tomorrow

her ancient hallowed visages
enshrine his divine morning light
revealing their unending marriage

his wind-driven rain and ice
weather the signature of seasons
deeply etching her face

her birthed children
play amid gravity's attraction
populating her shoulders

his relentless currents
pulse through her cavities
conceiving their offspring

and as gleaming white aspen
flutter yellow-butterfly leaves
and dance on her curves

and as rainbow-shimmering trout
glide through his flowing heart
and dance in his stream

i feel their presence
living within juniper and boulder
and i dance in this moment

the sun-fired clouds
cannot consume
the cool-blue slivers
of tonight’s sky

as nameless colors
dance to the rhythm
of fire and ice
in twilight’s silent waltz

just as many truths
are left unuttered
their presence being felt
but obscured by words