Asia’s Rain

Surprised the night
Didn’t last very long
And her song
Kept playing in my dreams
I awoke before she did
Got ready for my day
Smiled
Then returned to bed
And woke my lover
Like a cleansing rain

Summer night begins
Inside the Tunnel of Love
Ends at the Freak Show

Nothing warms the pain
in the depth of
the mud which lines my
world, below the surface of
this freezing river, this
universe which sweeps along
or laps at my body
above and below the water.
Will I ever rest?
Stop stirring up the mire that is
me?
From what cold dreams come
loving words and the safety of
you?

Come home tonight; there’s nothing more to say.
This phone is cold against my eager ear
and every word will serve to guide the way.

I hear your voice in time through some delay,
the words, your own, though this is what I hear:
come home tonight; there’s nothing more to say.

I got here in the morning, yesterday.
Your message was recorded, almost clear,
and served with every word to guide the way.

It wasn’t cold, although the sky was gray.
You left a thoughtful note to calm my fear–
“Come home tonight; there’s nothing more to say”

I saw you in my mind, you kneeled to pray.
Your soul, a welcome comfort lingered near
with words that served to guide me in its way.

I found your book, your chair, a place to stay
where every thought was free to shed a tear.
Come home tonight; there’s nothing more to say,
and every word will serve to guide the way.

I shake like I do when I come from the lake in September
When you come to me wrapped in your water weeds and flowers
That look of youth betrayed misting over the light you used to shine
To attract your lover. Hamlet. Bastard.
I still blame you for choosing him when I could have used you as easily
But look at my trembling hands to know I never would.
I am uncontrollable when you wrap your cold pleading arms around my shoulders
With the shuddering and chattering of the dying or the virgin lover.
You know that I would give you everything, but can give you nothing.
Once a petal has been plucked it cannot be replaced.
Here’s Sunflower for your journey;
I hope it keeps you warm.

I twist to keep the wind
from freezing snow against my soul.
I flex my dreams and shards of ice
fly off my blue eternities.
She howls, the memory of my last winter,
so beautiful and cold,
reminding me of the strength
of her embrace
and how my frozen tears
could only flow
when she let go.

I hear the sun
sweep jagged clouds
outside my door
where soon will come a knock.

Come in, I’ll call,
if you are warmth.

One hand is strong; one hand is weak
One holds a pen; one wipes a tear
Unwritten words, no voice to speak
The strength of love still lingers near