Misfit

The man wants you easy,

knocking on the wall
for permission

but lightly, not in need
with that spark –

an anger of too fast words
better held without panic

of long eyes and
their fragile warning,

just like the moon, head
held bowed to the sun

is the owed, owned light
from a distance

hunted on every horizon;
those, back turned and running

are a reflection of another
until quiet,

looking upon the face
of one who demanded
what they will not:

a monster, a victim –

and upon the wall slam
the crumbling heart

knocking loudly on the long night
with dreams made vivid

too struck of love,
indelible by necessity:

the own, owned warmth of self

who once gathering flowers
within a cage grew rich
with seeds

now slipping, or falling,
between every crack

having found no door
to ask entrance

grown uncontainable.

skipping stones

Truth, may be cobbled:
first having been strong
as static clings

like poppy pollen in
the school yard, for-
getting what is known
of threat

in oleander chewed of
my family’s garden,
not knowing this

poisoned flavor - I
gather a pocket of stones

too smooth and flat
like the world has been

and wandering, find still water
chewing on each before tossing

having crumbled sand in the mouth
same I was too long held
in another’s

their singing so hot: I like glass

transparently, still not quite
traceable in bright light

the truth held firmly
too round to skim the water
or stack one on top the other

but gathered like a cairn
where the river turns.