Poetry Forum

From sun’s hand sup the squirrels-
in shattered dawn, my heart unfurls:

Your rays lit fires forever dim
bright lights filled me to the brim-
I hoped to tempt the sun from sky
and set a camp, for you and I.
To lay among that forest where
we’d bridged our branches, laid them bare

despite all it was but kindling,
dead already if not dwindling,
for what campsite could hope to tame
sun’s inferno to staying flame?

and so it all, was set ablaze.

you said stars so close couldn’t last,
the sun could only be a flash-
to hold it in the wild of we,
would only set woefires free.

And as I watched you turn to flee,
your sunlight went from tent and tree.
While all ignited in your flight,
I stood reeling, alone, alight.

Our passions fast became the past,
all we’d planted, a floor of ash
The forest burned.
and yet I yearned.

Sleepless through every lonely night,
a bed of embers as my light,
I scattered hopes and cast out sighs
for a Phoenix that would not rise.

From dawn’s ashes instead I see
growing striped and strong, poet trees
hearts loose and free in magazines
inspired, striving, thanks to thee

a future more than you and me,
a road from which you won’t retreat
a road on which you’ll be happy
a road I know you cannot leave

Perhaps in time, my heart will find
it can live, with stars unaligned

For the sun knows where it must be.
We cannot choose to be ready.