Sideways Lightning

Why is it that love 

Must be so tormenting? 

Torrential. 

The dog you feed is biting you 

And tearing your heart out

When you sleep next to him. 

He brings it back and 

It is full of holes and leaves.

The rain has matted his hair but 

You love him because 

He brings it back. 

Jesus isn't in the coffee 

Or the second of blackness between 

The flicker of the gas station sign. 

You get your peace in the wind 

That finds you from the highway. 

When you go home 

He'll be waiting up for you.

Does it warm your chest that 

His love is unconditional?

Reckless like you.

He brings it back in his mouth

After it has seen the rain.

It is packed with moss and 

His eyes are deep, oak trees and

Summer sun. 

He brings it back with him.

Why is guilt irrevocable 

In the flash of lightning over 

Fields he runs across to you? 

Time withers away. 

All you know is love. 

The river runs wild and endless

Out of your hands and 

Imprinting the scrape of grapevines. 

It haunts you 

Like a midnight dog. 

Reviews

[Bryan Sefton]

This is very image ridden. It comes at you from all directions. It has the imagination running all over the poem.I love it.