ghosts born from the ash
of our burning silences
haunt us forever

She stood at the edge.  It was winter and
the lake was frozen.  Teenagers skated
in the distance.  They held hands and glided
in circles, laughing.  She wondered how they
missed the cracks.  The giant cracks.  Maybe they
saw them and just didn't care.  She closed her
eyes and breathed in, letting the cold air fill
her lungs.  Blades scraped and voices faded.  She
then opened her eyes and began to shout.

Long table
Tired mouth

I feel your stare
My shoulders hunch

Loud and louder
Snow on the pane

Fumbled wine
Bleeding grip

Cries in the corridor
Wind in the parapet

Judgment knife rises
Your heart slows

Loud and louder
Snow on the pane

Red river
Red river
Red river flow

Streamers
Gold and pink

Puddles and shadows
Lips and necks

Smiles and hips
Angels and fountains

Night slips

The abandoned square
Sleeps

Sand and salt
Cold foam

Wind across the pier
I hear the sea

Floating gold
Blank skin

Electric wound
Air ablaze

Ashes in your eyes
Tears in your hands

The ship disappears
Beyond

sand flows
between my toes

i bury them deep
and lie back

let
the surging surf
close around me

feel
the sun's caress

taste
the salt

breathe

i am new
again

Black dress drags
Through the mist

My hair sticks
My cheeks sag

My hands quiver
My legs groan

Soft eyes
Inside

Dew drops
Stained skin

I miss you forever