A shrill wind from the west had started to blow
Howling and slashing against my dry skin
Like two cars kissing, like the lovers breaking
Like brutal winter in an Arctic night

Suddenly, unwittingly, they began to fall
From the cliff of laugh lines they tumbled down
First like spring rain relieving the cold
Then like summer storms thawing the heart

Like crystalline diamonds harder than stone
Like glittering gems reflecting the moon
Like rings of silver unmarred by the rust
Like shattered glass distorting my view

For shame or for love, for regret or for hate
For lost or for frustration, in anger and sorrow alike,
Forked streaks of saltine river, like serene waterfalls
Crashing down and down a stormy mountaintop

They made no noise yet they thundered loud
They took no shape yet blurred the edge of light
Their soft baby teeth bit hard into the flesh
Drawing more blood to conjoin the tears