apology’s aftermath

spent and discarded
tossed to crash on a pale gray path
a means no longer needed
the end has been achieved.

a guarded glance as you pass, then
continue on your way
backs of hands are thrown above
your anaesthetic resignation
always in view
this tortured periphery
as I am dragged in tow.

the amateur

brick by brick, the mason
laid a castle sure to keep her near
tapestries chanted fantastic dreams
as mirrors luminesced

time and time again
he returned to find her floating
face down in the fountain
seeking safety, drained the water
and parched the wilted bloom

a thousand days in
she was gone
he followed footprints
past the piles that once had form
far too late to watch her crest the horizon
he turned to view her mansion
and found his own name on the gate.

he stands in an empty field
eyes keen, ears buzzing
the hilt is slick with sweat
a sound, and sudden
panic
shield aloft
he slices
the blade meets only wind

stokers

I tried to swim too soon.
The blaze raged at the near shore and pulled my breath,
and I choked
as I came up for air.
With eyes married to the flow, the spark had gone unnoticed.
I’d laughed as I stepped to the flame, discounted the danger,
Tested the heat and turned
to assure the water, “I don’t need this.”

I was wrong.

I drop into the fire.
I need to burn a while longer.
I need to scream and see these blisters.
The river is within a coal’s throw.
I remember its comfort, remember its motion. It draws heat from my skin.
But present in this pit or not,
I know my breath will burn.

The two implore me
to dive for the stream as they slave at their bellows.
We all swam there, not long ago.
Welcoming withered flame or stronger lung, I may step in again.
But today I am given to sear.