XXVI

It appears I have grown 

Two new feet 

In place of where 

My heart should be

They wander and kick 

As they like and 

Please though I cannot 

Seem to find appropriate shoes. 

XXV

Matters of wind

And of rain

Fall at her feet 

In silent words. 

Not of those things 

Unforgiving 

Rather, she is of 

Mistaken brilliance. 

Though at night

She twists and turns, 

Swirls and churns

All the while you try to sleep

Simply remember - 

She is not chaos. 

This is her peace. 

"Conscription: For Bubba"

Dragons and castles 

Have been stormed 

And sieged in stories 

Of myth and old 

But few have truly 

Done such things 

In worlds of 

Real and now

For men of such 

Valor have no 

Place on this 

Mortal plain

And yet, One 

Has stepped forth 

From the shadows 

Of intellect. 

No banner flew 

Overhead for his 

Allegiance lie in the 

Crucifix around his neck

No sword graced 

His hands 

Though enemies 

Fell at his feet 

And no knight's code 

Did he follow 

As he stormed 

Through unknown lands 

No, no lyric nor melody 

Tell of his feats 

Nor triumphs held 

In his honor. 

Rather, he humbly says, 

"I have set aside 

Personal desire to 

Ensure the safety 

Of this kingdom. 

I protect your princesses 

I love your Queen

I hold up the arms 

Of your King. 

I do this not 

For it is my duty 

But solely the greatest 

Parts of my heart."

He accepts no reward 

Nor praise 

For what 

He has done 

But silently

Works and protects this land 

With broken back

And sweated brow 

Contentedly carrying 

Our kingdom 

In the palms of 

Bloody, worn hands. 

"Antecedent"

There exists in it 

A desire 

An overwhelming yes 

And no. 

The need for 

Subtle grandeur 

A call to 

Exquisite beauty

From purple tongues 

And misguided 

Words of passionate 

Unyielding. 

Tiring, it 

Falls into readied 

Arms and legs 

Of fermented faith. 

That sweet courage 

Smelling of

Familiarity and amiable 

Discourse 

Will, in time 

Run its course 

Into darkened woods 

Of impossible shades. 

Do not taste 

That forgone fruit 

That lifeless meal 

That never satisfies. 

It must sleep 

As it must 

Always lay 

It must sleep. 

XXIV

I am an actress

On the eve of my greatest performance

And my lines are lost to me.

I have no countrymen,

I have no home,

Only the ever-coming dawn.

My mouth is dry

And words no longer run their swift course

Through mind and tongue.

I will say, "I see" and "I see"

Nodding my head in amiable accord

Dead words falling on dead ears.

I should say, "You are lovely" and "You are lovely"

A thousand times over

As if confessing my deepest sin.

Your name would be my rosary,

My atonement, my grace,

A penitent word in penitent heart.

But dive into Oblivion, I must,

Searching for speech and sentiment

For I am an actress, and my stage will not wait.

XXII

There's a place just over the hill

Where you told me of the impossibilities of love.

You spoke with such conviction,

Your words flowing motion.

I was lost in your discourse.

The wind was breathing lazily upon my face.

Yours was turned to the sun.

Though it wasn't its light

That contributed to your glowing expression.

It was the word you spoke over and over.

"Love!" You shouted.

"Love!" You screamed.

"Love." You whispered,

Cradling my face in your hands.

I laughed as you leapt from place to place

Kicking up the fallen leaves,

Trying to catch each one as it fell.

You said they were snowflakes

That we "mustn't let melt!"

Then you looked at me as if seeing for the first time.

Your virgin gaze fixed upon me.

And on your face, I saw your inner monologue perform.

I saw your confusion, your recognition, your adoration, your sorrow.

And I reached forth and kissed you once, sweetly.

Taking your breath in mine.

"Love." You whispered.

XX

Round tables have lost

Their great appeal.

To sit and see

All around

The company that we keep.

Conversation flowing

In our circumference.

Words making their way

Around our globe.

We set sail to them

Like Magellan.

Hoping they won't fall

Off the edge of the earth.

But rather, make their way

Back around,

More enlightened

After their maiden voyage.