You let me down again
Last night
With the sour taste of your shame
as palpable
as the morning’s weak light
sidling across
our window pane.

A parched acrid taint
on ruby-stained lips
Bears witness to a ritual disgrace.
Yet as you try
to misdirect, the mask slips
Revealing the addict’s
craven face.

Yet I recall your yesterday
Striding strong
Under ice-blue skies, along ways
Frosted silver.
And it’s here you belong -
enthralled - where nature
holds sway.

Then returning to turn the earth
Of your Eden
Seeking and nurturing worth
Utterly spellbound.
Body straining, mind heeding
The simple pulse of
your rebirth.

Yet as burnished skies cede
To shadowy hues
Your life colours bleed
Become indistinct
And without them you lose
All sense of the magic
That defines your need.

You’ll let me down again
Tonight
With the dark shadows of your pain
as predictable
as the room’s dimming light
and the ruby-red Judas
Poisoning your veins.