It came flapping in
On great dark wings
This angry pain of a thing

Like a black vulture to peak
At the center of my heart
Break my bones for marrow

Getting at the depth of me
I am not afraid of death
Only at the thought of yours

Let my every ounce
Of love and courage
Build a steel wall
Around my heart
Around my mind
That it might become
Scaffolding to support me
Then I can say, "Lean on me."

A fearful thing
Has taken wing
And flown straight
Into my heart

The place it pierced
Will forever sting
A bruising wound it creates
Will always leave its mark

And my heart will never heal

upon my daughter's visit, yesterday

The day I felt you swimming
A little flop inside
Was the day my heart-bird came
Within to reside

The day you came crying
And kicking your way into this world
Was the day my heart-bird
Built her nest sure

The day you told me that for you
No more could be done
Was the day my heart-bird
Burst through my chest

And headed for the burning sun
Never to return

A feather is not a bird.
A rock is not a mountain.

A petal is not a flower.
A seed is not a garden.

The true nature of desire
Is not "want" but "need."

A thread like a river leads,
I follow its course in this weave.

My garment is woven to hold you
In my heart like a precious gem.

I open the bag as I open my heart
And see love gleaming within both.

You are the thread woven through
The warp and weft of my life.

What a beautiful fabric-

A taste upon my lips
Fears of poison's bitter
realized

Just as forked tongues
Are cleaved in dualities
flicker

Thoughts gather
Like drops of venom
glimmering

You are a tightly
Coiled serpent who
lingers

Poised to strike a bite
At my forever-heart
wounded

I was done for
The moment I saw
danger

Never mind that
Lovely snake come
strike

A slow poison
Will eek into flesh
dying

Touch my lips
With your fervent
mouth

Taste what I taste
Poison upon my tongue
waits

Let us die
From the sweet
poison

Together