Thunder roars, flashes of white-lit skin appear then dissipate as chaos takes form.

Heavy raindrops cool our searing skin but not our heat. We are existence, we are all that lives and breathes within this moment.
Will you take my confession as I take to my knees? begging to be cleansed, aching to be whole and not wanting.

Will you take my sacrament with your liars tongue, let it linger as I pour and plead unto the raging heavens for forgiveness.
Take my empty vessel and fill it with your longing, too long have I walked in shadow, my edges blurred by shifting darkness and sweet liquor warmth.

Bring me to life, if only in this moment. Fear me, as I fear the shattering of all that I touch and we shall rage amidst the fury, at what is and what can never be.

Could you love me
if I let you
If I dropped my guard
at your feet once more
would you hand it back
or stand triumphant in it's wreckage.
If I offered myself to you
Would we litter the floor with our rags
hastily unwrapping eachother
with the delight of Christmas morning
discarding sweaters and shame
caution lost to the biting winds
that have always whispered our names
as our lovers slept unknowing
that we were never truly theirs.
Would you lay me down before you
Stretched out and yearning
and marvel at how your touch
has brought me back to life
while our kisses bring warmth
to hidden places
would you press your soul deeply into mine
while our bodies merge and meld
as fate intended
the weight of you a boundless comfort never felt
All I have ever wanted, in every aching moment
Is this.

If I could bring myself to you
on broken wings through dusky skies
we'd press our backs to twisted rails 
to sit and shoot the breeze a while

If I could bring you here to me
across the raging moon-bright sea
we'd walk down melancholy streets
and share our lovelorn broken dreams.

We'd sing in star lit shadows
and **** our broken hearts!
our laughter ringing through the night
and rattling the dark

We'd be silent as the sun rose
because this one thing we'd know
we may be broken sometimes
but we are more often whole.

What if love is just a word
Kicked around like dust
tripping off brazen tongues
in anticipation of pleasures spent.
Four letters in succession
to create one small sound
meaningless in it's utterance
triumphant in it's glory
as it dances across the lips of broken fools

Winter skin shivers as damp settles,
his troubled brow seeks silent shelter to sleep among demons. Triumphs and tortures muddied by time haunt the waking as they pass.
"There but for the grace of who?"
is uttered under the cross fire of blame.
Surely the grace is ours?
An outstretched hand, filthy with grief begs solace from the blind.
On his cheek a tear to shame the world.

**** this loathsome feeling of reaching out and finding only air. The lack of you echoes within, fracturing bone and tearing at sinew, vibrating through my being.
Lightly salted cheeks no longer blush at your mention, instead they wait under eyes filled with remorse for the lightest brush of your lips.
You told me I was beautiful once, said that you could spend weeks within the green of my eyes, months nestled at the small of my back, then laughed as my eyes rolled, closely followed by an expletive sigh.
We sat with the top down as the storm roared, you watched the mists roll off the mountain, as I watched droplets settle on your chest and envied their proximity to your heart.
Hours spent just being.
That was us, before the war.

Wrap me around your naked form
let my satin touch soothe your soul
I am all you need in this moment. Let us be lovers, unconfined by shame. Shake off the chains of yesterday and let the rest melt away. We are our own world, swaying hips and red wine smiles set the tone. Let us dance like this forever, our bodies sated as sweat drips, keeping rhythm, holding time.

I travel roads of deep despair,
chasing a shimmer of hope on the far horizon, forever out of reach, it's  sullen beauty lingers at dusk, calling
yet never yielding to my touch.
Time sleeps within the darkness
it stretches and wanes within waves of poison doubt
speaking my conscience
killing the last of me.
Knowledge presents itself slowly
that caustic drip
an ancient thirst
to  covet moons.

The poppy field stirs
as spring breezes graze the silence
sending birds to flight
Hush, do you hear them?
a thousand souls that cried for home.

All men wear white crosses here,
the rows glisten
standing straight and tall against the sky
Shoulder to shoulder
finally at one with peace.
There will be no reveille as dawn breaks
No call to arms for these brothers of battle.
Only quiet remembrance.

We were
the most beautiful lie
ever told.

Sometimes.
when sat.
waiting.
If I listen closely.
I hear.
between ticks.
their mocking.
of my longing.
to be free.

Dawn breaks slowly, the evening stillness gives way to the jubilant  chatter of birds as sun rises.

A church bell rings in the distance, its chimes blending with the lively babble of a nearby brook, alive with darting rainbows as the light reflects shimmering scales.

There is peace to be found here, a deep inner calm takes hold as I watch the bluebells lift their heads once more as Bumble Bees make breakfast of clover.

All of nature beckons, her green majesty awaits my adoration, her song, ancient and knowing, leads the dance to where I find my heaven.

Do your best
Do your worst
Sate my hunger
Quench my thirst.
Do it now
but take your time
sip me slowly
blow my mind.
Make me *****,
fill me up
overflow my devils cup,
leave me breathless
leave me raw
leave me always,
wanting more.

As dawn approached I heard the news
they told me you had gone
the sun it shone in bluest sky
the birds chirped out their song
and here I sat with paperback
emblazoned with your name
as sadness visited a while
upon this fateful day.
The gift you gave in sweetest words
entrusted to us all
and now your heart has answered
the final sirens call
with heavy heart I write these words 
for you will write no more
in paper tomes you will live on
In peace forever more.

Hips crash, breaking waves to shudder flesh. In this moment we are each other.
Linked limbs give way to locked eyes as passions kiss moves south.
Hand clasped sheets ripple at the shores of our abandon while all time stops and stretches cat-like across our waking.
We are one and all together.
A cry splits the darkness, ragged breaths tear from swelling chests as finally sleep masters all.

Laid out in front of me
gasping for air
as hands apply pressure
and eyes coldly stare.
Grip tightening
eyes widening
knuckles whitening
Skin bruising
you're losing
your battle with me
You're struggling
Eyes bulging
pulse slowing
now knowing
that I'll be the last thing you see.

Vanity becomes you, oh Great One.
As silently,
your harem plots your demise.

Backporch swing keeping time
whiskey yours, tequila mine,
scented buds brings better days
as sweet Father John Misty plays.

I am doomed to keep repeating
this hateful cycle, self defeating
bleeding red through open sores
set up to be deaths only chore.

These many coloured choking pills
that rush my blood but cure no ills
have taken hands too raw with pain
and bound them tight against the rain.

There is no finer love than this
between my soul and fires kiss
which burns my throat and scars my heart
while keeping love and life apart.

Take me home on broken bones
tiny steps o'er jagged stones
lift your star filled eyes to mine
breathe me in and drink my wine
sip it from my broken cup
as burning yearning lifts me up
to shake within your calloused hands
and scream your name at loves command.

Throw caution to the wind
Come mess up my bed.

Today weighed down with heavy heart
I walked through sunny streets
and came upon the mission
where you and I would meet.

Though years have passed
and paths have crossed
with others of our kind
there is one thing you told me
that lingers in my mind.

You said that you were happy
though you lived a roamers life
no roof, no cash, no shelter yours,
but with riches you were rife.
The park it was your garden
and friendly hearts your home,
a solitary street soldier
but you never felt alone.

I walked on past the mission
stinging tears mine eyes did burn
while on my lips there played a smile
and a promise to return.

There are no more tomorrows
Our love lies in the past
A hazy recollection
of nothing built to last
You shaped my youth with beauty
Your heart became my home
You picked up all my pieces
and repaired me with your own
So sure I was unloveable
I fought with all my might
but soon you were my every thought
my hopes, my dreams, my light
But time moved on as time it will
and now I wait in vain
for you, the boy who loved me once
and never will again.

You little ball of golden fur
with eyes that sparkled bright
may dandelions fill your path 
as you leave here this night.
You filled my daughter's heart with joy
and laughter everyday
Your cage it sits abandoned now
on this her saddest day
So bless you sweetest little pig
as moonlight guides your way
Sad tears have fallen, true of heart
on this your dying day.

Could you be the one? My one? Never have I considered the line of your jaw to be anything special, nor your smile to be a wonder but today, that laugh, the way you looked at the floor, then looked up at me through your overgrown fringe made the earth fall away, just for a second, my equilibrium shifted and I was lost in your tide, awkwardly lighting a cigarette my shell shocked hands desperate to belie my cool disposition. You walked with me a while in silence, sharing drags, my lips, only too aware that they were following yours, prayed for more with a half smile, while your fingers pushed a wayward curl from my forehead, turning my heart into a supernova.... and all I could think was.... You? Really? Oh boy.

If I die in this moment
back arched and brazen
your cursed name like nightshade
upon my ruby lips
will my sin be forgiven?

If I'm still here tomorrow
alive in loves echo
all things returned to rightful owners
familial harmony restored
will I be forgotten?

Counting hours between seconds
Smiles between whiskey-warm sighs
As all between us is lost
In sideways glances and silent contempt.

I dream of running
grabbing a bag
disappearing
no longer held
by your golden tether
and pretty lies.

I dream of escape,
sweet freedom mine.
Where my name no is longer a curse on your lips
and your eager hands cannot reach my tattered skin.

I dream of fleeing
quick footed and silent,
leaving but a twisted photograph of our finest hour
and nothing of the me you thought you knew.

These dreams magnify my imprisonment
within your passionless walls.
I am trapped, this I know,
flailing helplessly,
entwined within your love-struck loathing.
Despised,
Seeing every piece of myself shatter
as the silence screams my name
too weary now to pick up the pieces
and bind them to my still beating heart

I would rather die a thousand deaths,
rolling in despairing agony
while the blood leeches from my eyes
and skin is flayed from bone,
than taste another of your bitter kisses.

If you could cry a million tears
and carve each droplet with my name
they would not taint my happy heart
for what was yours, you threw away.

Once there was a love you knew,
contempt and lust it's bones did break
until the day your world stood still
and found my broken heart reclaimed.

Another's heart now beats beside
this tired shell, this ragged form.
Another's chest for weary head,
another's arms to catch my fall.

I do not wish to hear your words,
your grave mistakes, your sad lament
I feel no sorrow at your loss,
this lack of you is heaven sent.

He moves within the darkness
time slips and drips at his behest
while I, alone, become prey
caught within the glare of infinity
cascading now into doom laden cries.
Dark promises slumber, then tumble wildly
from lips too moist with rage.
He is the needle and I the ****** skin
He is every screaming sinew, stretched and drawn
He is the lie I tell myself
He is the ink in my blood.

Let's love a while beneath the trees
Our bodies cooled by summer breeze
let inhibitions turn to dust
our hearts aflame with molten lust

Place kisses on white linen skin
embrace this moment, breathe me in
pray silently as we begin
for you will be my only sin

Come to me now with lovers fire
and be my only true desire
as passion opens bounties fair
laid out before you, quaking, bare.

Then enter slowly, if you will
as though all time is standing still
when morning rises, say my name
For we will not be here again.

Do you hear the voices?
They  whisper of love in open wounds.
They spit at my ears and wail at my image.
My mind a willing admirer of the cacophony.
They bring only black,
cracked and unyielding it lays against my monochrome skin.
Tearing at scars to bleed only ink.

Oh won't you lay me down tonight
While moonlit shadows are at play
Our love will dance among the stars
then in my arms you'll always stay.

Elizabeth Wortzel**

I'm the girl who is lost in space, the girl who is disappearing always, forever fading away and receding farther and farther into the background. Just like the Cheshire cat, someday I will suddenly leave, but the artificial warmth of my smile, that phony, clownish curve, the kind you see on miserably sad people and villains in Disney movies, will remain behind as an ironic remnant. I am the girl you see in the photograph from some party someplace or some picnic in the park, the one who is in fact soon to be gone. When you look at the picture again, I want to assure you, I will no longer be there. I will be erased from history, like a traitor in the Soviet Union. Because with every day that goes by, I feel myself becoming more and more invisible...

I was caught in a moment,
haunted for a lifetime
by eyes that knew no sorrow
and a smile that had never broken it's bow.

We spun webs of wishes to call home
and loved as the moon sang and the stars danced
above the wilderness of our affections.

Slow breezes kissed the youth of our skin
as passing time receded into shadow
mourning the loss of it's need.

All tomorrows became ours
within a haze of vinyl crackles and long silent minstrels,
our initials carved forever upon our naive hearts
though the writing on the wall said too young.

Tomorrows still exist within this realm of empty hands,
carved art, now faded and scarred still beats
with the memory of captured breath and teenage wonder
bought to life in sometime dreams
forged by the moon and her lonely lullaby.

The world is bathed with orange glow
sweet dreamers weave their way
as darkness wraps it's heavy shroud
around the close of day
While weary bones seek welcome rest
and lovers play their game
I'll linger here and dream of you
My sweetest secret shame.

I sang a song of tears for you
It echoed from my aching spine
and whispered with the moonlit breeze
Oh sweetest love, won't you be mine?

And should this sweet song reach your ears
Across the ageing, tired tide
I beg that you will take your heart
then hide it swiftly deep inside.

For though I covet it's caress
upon my helpless, weary soul
I fear that I will turn it black
and leave you nursing but a hole

So I will sing my song of tears
and mute the echo with my heart
where love, she blossomed once in vain
there now lay thorns and broken parts.

Could you love me for a while
upon a summers day
We'll drift the seas in paper boats
and kiss the time away

Could you love me come the fall
where hues of russet play
We'll kiss among the falling leaves
then in your arms I'd stay

In winter will you love me still?
amongst the ice and snow
a thousand twinkling fairy lights
will hold us in their glow

And when the spring she comes around
and blossoms are in bloom
will you pick some daffodils
and lay them at my tomb.

For I must leave you now my love
for heavens distant shore
but I will hold your heart in mine
until we meet once more

She walks alone, defiant
in clothes as black as night 
hiding her heart in shadows
never seeing light
she kicks at life and lovers past
and picks at healing scars
she'll talk to you in riddles
and hide behind her 'art'
she fears the darkest deeds within
her  blackened, broken heart. 

She has need of nobody
that's how she makes it seem
and only few will ever know
the glory of her dreams
but if she lets you come inside
she'll beg you not to stay
as love is never hers to keep
and every heart must stray

She'll push you to your limits
as you sink into her skin
her passion overflowing
with sweetest velvet sin
but when the game is over
she'll lay sated on your chest
then lock her heart away once more
at her haunted soul's behest.

I only know that
during lingering kisses
my darkness lifts for a moment
as your soul touches mine.

The tree is decked with tinsel
the house is full of light
we sit around the fire
on this holiest of nights.

We sing our hallelujah's
praise the little baby born
then wonder at the magic
of another Christmas morn

The table's overflowing
the champagne sparkles bright
the gifts have all been opened
and there's not a tear in sight

We open all our presents
laid out for all to see
under the glittering branches
of a laden Christmas tree.

Then with some wine we snuggle down
our spirits filled with cheer
and raise a glass to absent friends
so missed this time of year

And when the day draws to a close
Its plain for all to see,
The greatest Christmas gift of all
Is love and family.

by Sanders Bohlke**

Somewhere
I wanna go there
I wanna go there with you

Your light is my witness
Oh and your tears are my storm
And your grave is my enemy
Oh and your skin is my form

Somewhere
I wanna go there
I wanna go there with you

Your prayers are my treason
Oh and your rain is my hell
And your words are my freedom
And your soul is my shell

Somewhere
I wanna go there
I wanna go there with you

Your fire is my lifeblood
Oh and your heart is my throne
Oh and your will, oh your will is my fortune
Oh and your fate is my own

Somewhere
I wanna go there
I wanna go there with you

I felt my spirit leave me
she danced with my last breath
she twirled to one last heartbeat
then stilled to mourn my death.

She only mourned in passing
as others would have done,
then faded with a whisper,
a hushed farewell to none.

Come find me in your darkest hour
Come knock upon my door
I'll light a fire and pour the wine
throw cushions on the floor

Come huddle under blankets
Find comfort in my smile
and tell me of the life you live
it's triumphs, fears and trials

Lean in a little closer
Let me whisper in your ear
Let me put my arms around you
There is no judgement here

Let me tell you all my secrets
While my head lies on your chest
Let the world go on without us
Never caring for the rest

Then when sweet slumber finds us
Bringing whispers to an end
I'll hold your dreams within my heart
My sweetest poet friend.

Did you hear me whisper
through the rustling of the leaves?
Did you feel my kiss up on your brow
as I swirled among the trees?
Did notice how my love for you
shone with the midday sun?
Although for now, we are apart
we'll always be as one

Did you hear my happy laughter
in the babbling of the brook?
see my eyes among the bluebells?
won't you take another look?
Did you hear my song sung gently
with the stirring of the pines?
a song of longing for the day
when your heart lives with mine.

I will search for you on rooftops
when the moonlight lights the tiles
I  will search in each reflection
for the light once in your eyes
I will dance with every passing breeze
and howl into the rain
until you come back home to me
to live in peace again.

Heat settles like dew
forming waves
above glistening tar
summer's slow breezes
are but a rumour now.
Birds fly amongst the blue
their song irrepressible,
chimes through the haze
as bees bustle busily
past parched pavements
to gather the nectar they crave.

I fear that it is my fate
to love deeply
in a world without echo.

I carry you within my heart
on travels far and wide
I feel your love with every step
your heartbeat times my stride

You come to me on birdsong
at the dawning of my day
a whisper on melodic breeze,
from you I'll never stray

You come to me when beauty's seen
in nature's finest things
the glory of a meadow wild,
the monarchs silken wings

You come to me when battles rage,
to softly dry my tears
and hold my heart there next to yours
diminishing my fears.

Then when the sun it sets once more
the time for roaming done
I'll watch the moon in grateful thanks
For you, my sweetest one.

He keeps her heart locked in a cage
to which he lost the key
he keeps his own heart filled with rage
for all the world to see.