Jets trace stretch marks across the eye of the sky
smoke on blue dome’s transparent light
splits curved cornea at atmospheric height

hurtles into space’s emptiness.

You are buried in earth’s numbing layers
turned towards the light, never understanding
why life escapes you.

We prowl around each other
intent on a dance we haven’t learnt
stolen from the wood’s thick moss

the cry of carrion bird unnerves me.

I’m ready for a midnight flight
fear makes it difficult to breathe
through a lifetime of another’s love and loss.

Jets stripe the candy blue crack of sky
I listen for the fall of a leaf
whisper my dreams to the wind

all of this makes more sense
than hand holding on a clear night
than loving one other.