Steamy faces masked by a silver curtain,

The show about to begin.

Her eyes glisten as she rabbits
on about how Mars is in its second
alignment, and the moon is
in her corner.

The bell above the door tinkles
as it slams--

Vagaries of fate swoop and
dive, and
he can’t stop thinking
about how beautiful
her lips are
as they move.

Another year passes, softness slowly looms.
Another pair bought on a Sunday afternoon.

Bare feet incarcerated, plush warmth
scuffing blue carpets,
Sound is numbed and Feeling stifled.

The foot, wearing sore as the day drags on,
pines for evening,
and comfort.

... quiet eyes meet in desire evolving:
a Future swelling above fragile lives.
            wires that pierce the tissue
                        twist and shatter,
      penetrate muddy bloodstreams,
                clarify joy, fear, anxiety –
   a longing that pierces the veil
                     and illuminates                  
         death just as surely
                      as hope.

Tears rinse ash from her cheekbones
Understanding outgrows hostility
And each from this tapering path
Finally separate.

Boots on a highway, mud in the field.
Take it home. Take it home.

Sand in leather, blood on stone.
So far gone.

Paper curls, smoke unfurls.
Ash in a tray.

Green lights on the ceiling. Red lights on the wall.
Up this high, I can see them all.

Even my name has an unfamiliar taste.
The whiskey is just the same.