Breathe In Me Life, For Death Enshrouds
“Seducer, healer, deity or thief,
I will see you soon enough—
in the shadow of the rainfall,
in the brief violet darkening a sunset—
but until then I pray watch over him
as a mountain guards its covert ore
and the harsh falcon its flightless young.”
-Dana Gioia’s Prayer
Captivated, cruelly scorned
Innocence breached in the caress of sifting leaves
I breathe…
Shards of crimson ice splitting the skies,
I breathe…
Hung in the nest of my Guardian’s threshold
I breathe…
I receive the tantrums of travesty,
Though I pause, the air suspended in my lungs
Death, damasked and naked
The hairs of his youth dancing in the breeze
I breathe…I breathe…
Words of ire, phantom echoes in my mind,
I breathe…I breathe
The pain of existing taught in those eyes
I breathe…I breathe
Until the fighting for control ceases
Until the lungs are filled to the brim with torrential tears
My eyes, open, lifeless
I see you, gallant Guardian
A silhouette sobbing, a heart pounding and throbbing
You sing to me, lulling life wonder
Spices surround me, for you are my Gatherer of needed scent
Allowing your tears to fall, refusing to grieve
Seeing in me budding revelation
Your lips hot against mine
Gently, gently you breathe
And in Death’s astonished brow,
I live
Copyright ©
Laura Breidenthal
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