you’re the green fronds of fire
that grouts the cobbled back streets of my heart
the bright butterflies still being born
from the braided shadows of brambles
blossom become sentient
the ones
who hollow you out
leave a cave
for another
to place
a candle in
the scars from our dreams
sew us together
fairy lights flickered
when no one was watching
woodsmoke curled to sleep
in the grass
took shelter
in the shadows
beyond the lamps
scarred skin
doesn’t collapse
when carved
how the wind
hisses a sigh
through the reeds
how the sea sings
far inland
I sunbathed
in your shadow
is love
the performers
performing for themselves
a slow show
once the wings
of the main show
packed away
instruments played gentle
as injuries
where you try to excavate
your encrypted heart
I wanted to touch the scars
upon your clawed at chest
I see you
the suits of shadows
lined with gold
the tear
of the candle flame
sharpened
like a sable brush
pinched to a point
by the lips
of the sky
that refuses
to let it fall
the column
of its body
turns clear
before the soft chorus
of smoke
pulled
from its scorched
throat
caves will call
to the sky
sky will become
ceiling
the susurrus
of your lost
long song
the smoke
of my soul