The Messenger (A Knight Carries; A King Weighs; A Queen Cradles)

In your childlike freedom, I possess you.
In our separateness is our embrace,

As a shadow to the sun.

Empty words fill the empty space.

A vision writhes in the primordial net

Of desire not yet made real—
At least, not to flesh.

I awoke from the dream with a wound I could feel;
One only ash and feathers could heal.

Still,

It is the heart’s intent.

Another mountain quest

Another Ark of the Covenant—treasure or vessel,

A locked vault. 

Wanted, sought.

Nested within 

An elegant chest.

reprosexuality

My lover has a secret door
behind the wet bar
to an underground library
with windows
ceiling to floor
into the shining black eyes of

enormous beasts

in a deep blue sea.

The creatures who visit me there
are eons old, all-knowing
and hungry
for company.

Pyrolysis

Six flames
sent
to one name
folded quiet 

and tight

enveloped inside

stationery

unlined—

blank but for
the charred tips of 

used matchsticks
which wrote charcoal scripts
to be known by
only their recipient.

Feedback signal

Among the pretty
delicate things
put up high on shelves
to shimmer in the dark

it is known
no beauty is spared
the camera obscura;

the careful observer,

though blessed with 

omnipotent sight
its fragile-glass eye overlooks

the time-smoothed ridges 

of cast brass bronze 
ornate raised relief,
golden filigree leaves,
the rippled lips, 
and fire-licked folds 

of an object

aware of itself

reflecting a quivering flame

in an ancient mold.