An Early Song-2
I once joined the procession of colors and lost my heart
Till a wave colors distilled through night knocked me down dead.
Besides the mountain, the midnight festival of colors is on.
Lying in my arms you imagine your blood is burning in my veins
I am only listening to the chariot of the queen joining the revelry.
I knew you were being vain when you came to see me
I did know when your heart missed a beat. For the air was my friend.
And the tiny bird building its nest in the rafters of my roof
Did not bring a straw as long as you talked.
You never said bye. For you wanted me to do that. But I had no time
And kept riding on the wave. The storm is not away. What if I fall.
Tomorrow I will be lying in these shores caressed to sleep by a smiling sun.
I don’t have the time to forget you in the endless expanse of this blank night.
Last night’s sun was but a spot hewn out of the tragedy of the heavens.
A tragedy that survived the ages to live in my heart in fire and smoke.
You keep away while I create my pieces in these desert sands. When I proceed
To give them the finishing touches, you shriek in despair. For you think
I am going to spoil the lovely piece of some great master with my clumsy hands.
-2-
Tomorrow is the illegal child of today abandoned in the dark.
I end up at night and my child is born at night, having passed
Through the summer that seared my skin and heart.
The cup of sorrow is never full, so there is no overflowing.
Yesterday we witnessed the winter night breathing its last.
Winter was in lament for the little bird that went up but never returned.
I bear no gifts for you. I know not your names. I know not who you are
But I recognize you without mistake against this backdrop of misery.
I come here with my empty bag to gather the drops of your sobs
And consign them to the flame in my mind leaving your smiles behind.
For: Catie Lindsey's Free Verse contest
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