New Spring (glimpse of a short story in progress)

It is come. She has been asleep so long that she cannot rightfully orient herself with the day or time, but is finally pulled up by her instincts and maybe something more. She is a bear, waking from long hibernation. Limbs are stiff; she stretches. She notices that her hair has grown quite long and pulls it up on the top of her head and ties it into a temporary knot. The strong smell of new buds entices her out into the garden. Falling on her knees, she draws in the Spring air, still crisp with moisture, and laughs quietly. After running her fingers over the dew soaked grasses, she forcefully pierces the sacred ground with her bare hand and retrieves a fistful of the mythical soil. As it slips loosely through her open fingers, a single golden larva catches the morning light. She takes it gently between her teeth and bends her neck far back, delivering the worm to the sky and waits for the phoenix to accept it. This is her offering.

Ghost

Looming universe and by chance find
Likely coincidence, two souls in need
There was no beginning; we were simply in the fire
As if a trance took me through
How sultry and shocked and stirred I emerged
You, cool in the moment
Lured me to play outside my limits
This made me love you and trust you effortlessly
Untouched, I have been warmer with you
Restrained, I am open
Light-headed, I consider my circumstance
And consequence
I can only imagine the smell of your neck, cradling my face
Your breath on my ear
In my mind we dance and I sing to you softly
My voice mostly air on your shoulder, burning your collar
Lyrics I have known and new words for these seconds
New language born in melody and passion and pounding measure
I imagine a powerful draw between us… among other aching things
Our bodies moving together in rhythm, twisting and leaning
Hands free to explore and give touch
We write it all out and stretch ourselves out in it; bathe in it
Experience
I know you take pleasure in me, though I am only a
Ghost in your mind; a dream that fades
And I do not agree to this
I am here, drunk with sensation, knowing
You will never take me in with your eyes
Taste my tears on your tongue
Still, they are no less true
Unfinished longing and curious acts of affections left
Hanging in a empty room
A corporeal touch ever only a notion
These things I acknowledge
Yet in early hours of the morning, when we hide
In the arms of other lovers
I am here alive, mouthing airy words, half asleep
Burning the dark
Lyrics I have known and new words for these seconds

Unfinished

Almost
He speaks lyrics. She takes code
Raw skin begs experience. Invokes a girl she was
New breath, thrive. Fine and frozen out of mind
Sweet somethings and secrets. Unrelated realities ignite.
Unwhispered deceit is no less a lie; recoil
Unseen, she recalls courage. Chill hope for warmth
Need to let forth; give
Opens and melts for him. They give and pull and give…

Clocks tick and silence

He is changed… distant. Comprehends fear
Pallid cries, borrowed words
Heavy space and slow motion killer; wavering
Actual blows would sting her less
Throatily, vibration formed words; ought
Glimpses and failed attempts exhaust his intent
Separation occurs. Reason returns wounded
There was always distance, though the importance different

Abruptly, he appears content

She questions her sanity, the weight of her thoughts
Resents his stability
Invisible from one another, they go
In tribes along cold rivers; stagger
Scars resemble autumn, colorful and temporary; salient
As great songs exist for singing, almost-love stories write themselves short
Render an empty audience. The pen but a hostage
As also a heart