When long days drag on me And my soul cries in the dark Then I speak my prayer in sleight And He slips it into my jar. Prithee – give it wings to fly up

He comes around the wall And I feel my quickened heart. I dare to look even while Seconds become a moment. He passes with dull eyes

My spirit cannot be bridled For it is as wild as fire— As innocent as a child And in secrecy, has desires. My body cannot contain it—

A milky-eyed mourning dove Sat upon a tombstone – tacit – Inside the grounds of St. Francis To admire a cache betroved. A sentinel’s duty – it bears –

When pillars fail When walls break My angel can bear The unknown weight. If darkness prevails

Bless each palo verde bloom— Those cuplets kissed by the sun My vision wants to consume That thus have raptured my love. See how they speckle the tree

Ample is the rising sun That alights the furthest mountain… A carmine drape upon every hill— Exciting the birds to warble. Ample, too, is the evening sun

On Havana’s white shore – With each salt-infused whirl That agitates its border— Every sand is a potential pearl.

Seizuring so as if escaping from f… You awoke suddenly near about midn… Then rolled over meeting my body h… By instinct, drew nearer and kisse… Your cheek, always soft, nestled a…

I have nothing to offer Except this small heart of mine. You come with laughter. I have a past much maligned. You come with true stories

A rose gave up her secret Of its origin – of its beauty – In the shadow of her crescent— Fiercely hushed once to me. She told me of a plan of love

Like gold of Havilah God is true and straight. I can exhort Adonai For his tender heart. Be it ambivalence

Oh star – brightest star – That’s first in the sky – I don’t need advice; I just need an ear. Nobody else must know

On waves of midnight blue— We shoved off in the boat— It mattered not where to— Anywhere at a casual knot. We entered a world of darkness

Flowers in the desert Vibrantly grow forth In yellows and purples Despite the salty Earth And when I think about