visions of gideon

lime paint on the wall of a prayer to calliope,

in stageira breathe, fragrant with oil, blue and cambric;

bare feet shuffle o’er road powder, eyes easily shut --

so graceful for so simple, skin the weather of dry.

where go you? o daughter of anemoi. a whiff in your hair

a kiss, love unforgiven. thanasis plays in the backyard,

grass a caress he knew not, draws pieces on the ground

of his never life. it is simple in it, they are here.

i let them all go, tender little doves, i wish them all

a love thread strong, a needle careful, a soul sewn anew.

wheat ears swaying, i dawdle along, made of clay shards

under a black sun.