Back to the
subtle pool
of dark and deep
that lay below illumination.

Wriggling, slippery
scales of black
in a pool
so hard to see,
so hard to grasp.

Down the hall
in the realm of control,
pulling into light a dark shadow.

Maybe two, but one.

Pull it close
to touch it in mind,
to know it and own it
and let it go.

So deep and dark
and subtle and fooling,
this pool of mind.

My soft futon beckons,
And I have saved half a bottle
Of companionship and comfort
For tomorrow's adventure.
There are frustrations and exhaustions
sewn throughout my brain,
But now is the time
To put them to sleep.
Tonight we spend long hours together,
Spilling childhoods and chilled liquor,
Keeping the night bright,
And wrapping ourselves in laughter.
Tomorrow we venture forth,
Face down our differences,
And search for some new way
To fight back the dark...
After we sleep.

I am a nervous wreck.
A boy I thought had no intention of kissing me has done it again,
and his mouth tasted less of alcohol the second time around.
Now he messages me during the day,
the night,
the second he gets off of work.
Yet he speaks nothing of his intentions.
Does he want me or my mouth?
Do I want him or his?
I've brushed my teeth a dozen times, but my tongue still burns from that night.