Today, by yesterday

This poem was originally published on Graphite Publications.

Cradle tells you gentle
Holds they melt you breathless, hiccup
Slowed, like a heartbeat finding home
Where such childlike proclivities simply reveal
Not sanguine tendency
Nor the wistful wishes on a faraway star,
In fact, I’m not so sure

Wide-eyed, I feel around for the light switch
Blindly searching as the drunken croon of the oscen
Dares in parched voice to say more than I may mean to
Make light of what’s unseen though
In shades and depths, fisherman’s mesh and spun silk entangled
Lie dumb, the words sit dormant in my throat

Framed elegantly picturesque I pose
Careful not to itch or stir a bit
I find forever existed not long ago
Yet out the passing window I crane my stiff and sleepless neck
To turn back to something whose back is turned
Away from puddles reflecting murky clouds
Where ripe fruit had fallen long ago

Sticky sweet mango traces on my fingertips
Another remnant to follow nights of stolen dreams
Glutinous glutton lays waste to fancy, rice sounds gentle sifted
Sliced pear crunches, juice dribbles down my chin as gluttonous wishes
Cradle my heart’s delight as I fill my stomach, food for thought
Finger-painted on easel, splattered smock

I wake from a faraway dream turned reflection in a wishing well
Wake peaceful knowing the fragrant memory had left me still
Subconscious yearning for a pin-drop moment
Where time decided not to pass but pass mercy on my fancies
Mango shake on sunset beaches, postcard pictures tell me more
Than this breathless hug you hold me in
Of this I’m rather sure