I gaze upon the painted sky; it cracks.
I press against the hoar-rimed horizon,
so cold and biting. I strain to see through
but am allowed only a furtive glance;
a peek at another world. Mystery
and shadow – I see my dreams through the crack.
.
I flatten myself against the dome and
struggle to slip through the hole in time, o’er
gossamer borders spun ‘twixt life and dream
as the icy kiss of the bounding wall
warns of edges sharp from fractures honed,
cold claws that reach and rend my mortal flesh.
.
Through action wary, misplaced though it be
I fail to mark the cruel blade sliding
into my belly, piercing through my ribs,
until the point rests just within my heart.
my lifeblood’s warmth over my body spills,
a mask to the glass bite raw, elation.
.
Into my mind through mist of shock-numbed pain,
disbelief of thought, “What has just occurred?
what trick of dream-disguisèd sense is this?”
Though to the earth I drop in pain of wound
aknee across confines of worlds apart
I fall owned, part of each, by neither claimed.
.
My form just short of dreams cast down, I hear
the serenity songs through branch of tree
and peace of moon called forth, “come now to us”
Sweet voices of a thousand birds cry out,
Come fly with us, through mystery unveiled,
panoply vista of sight enchanted.”
.
I make to lift my breaking style, weak now
through loss of blood I retch in painful breath.
from just below my chest strikes out cruel blade
nearly hilts-deep into my belly thrust .
Upon the pommel resting light – a hand,
the trembling mother of this grievous pain.
.
The very form of grace and beauty warm,
How I long to stroke this exquisite hand
To touch and to be touched upon the face,
please let the caress come to end this pain.
Violent sobbing jarring my bladed chest,
through agony forceful, my tears are dried.
.