Longing
A red-draped sky awaits
a groom who will never come.
The hours pass;
she knows she'll circle the fiery sun alone.
Who will kiss the henna the stars drew upon her clouds?
Her neck longs for a silver lining.
Will she ever bear rain drops?
In her dance with the sun;
she tossed her clothes in protest,
and cursed God in her bright blue nakedness.
She chased away the birds for a glimpse of her lover's shadow.
That faded crescent against her body
is all she's ever known of him.
She sat still for a lifetime, grew dark in longing,
and threw herself into the sunset.
He huffed and puffed an orange glow
in his climb to the zenith an eternity too late.
Full and wanting a life that never was,
he wailed against empty space and fading stars.
He sunk himself into the Earth's bosom
moments before dawn.
The tragedy unfolds like clockwork
as it has before;
as it will forever.
The horizon wonders if anyone will notice her.
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