Coal lantern heart
a dim red glow
through my crooked ribs
swept this way and that, a feeble ember
among the black wet trunks
night forest and leaning trees
of your love
my feet, torn and stung
by many a stray thorn
and twisted fallen branch,
plod and weave and stumble
searching
as a light fog arises
from mossy floor and worm strewn soil
the moon above
a mocking ancient savant
thinly veiled by passing clouds
your name I call, voice
more like a last breath
while from somewhere behind me
the faint sound of dry and rustling wings
arises