you read my letters and you always know who called and when; your eyes – a thousand thousands – for ever on me – follow my every step ‚to keep me safe‘ – you say – ’safe from the bad men‘ – i know them not and thus i never feared them much but your fear i can smell – it leaves a bitter taste who will keep me safe –

screaming to consciousness re-born, but nor refreshed – end another night – endless, yet it slipped away – granting it’s gift only in leaving; too little balm on too many wounds rising to face the day-time monsters i see myself give a smile to the face in the mirror – grey and hollow, dust on it’s lips – first smile it had in weeks calm now, ignoring the leaden weight on everything

Let not the threat of autumn wind Darken our summer merriment But drink ye deep when t‘ cups are fill’d And lament not the drops ye spill’d: What’s done the Gods can’t take from ye. Cometh the day that I must leave Do not give way to senseless grief Nor what we missed should ye regret But linger on the days we had – Remember love, remember me.

I behold! here comes the dark lady – my dark mistress: her hair ruffled by the cold wind of winter flying about her face tears of blood run down her cheeks – red rivulets on moon-pale skin. she lures me to her realm of night – i follow her all thoughts extinguished. her caress – as cold as the wind – it chills me chills me to the bone. her kiss stirs

wheels rattling, scrunching hissing – iron snake bears me away sleek dragon – screeching skitt’ring wyrm to take me -where? – my soul lagging – trailing behind: a kite pulled by a running child soars – climbing the resistance – ever higher with celerity my soul has not the serpents speed – inert – or more than that for – loath to part – and so will tarry where the other flies.