Dances Resumed



In this soft white room
without edges, I rise
Clouds scatter magenta
mesh with gray and flecks
of fools gold.  Push and pull
of your absence crashes
inside my nautilus.  Outside
           the tide recedes, captures
           algae and a star fish
I swish against the silk
of your Mongolian tunic
finger frayed threads
On the wall, Rousseau's Tiger
Fighting with a Buffalo

I implore, listen
to bagpipes lament, later
           Wings Beneath my Feet
My own feet begin to move
Concentric circles easing

Salmon sizzles in olive oil
and a tea kettle whistles
A breeze sports through screen
sneaks under my shirt, nipping collarbone  

Sea largo infused with andante
fills my chambers
I rise up full staff
to the ages of the ages
a tessera
in this voluptuous mosaic
breathe each breath

Tonight, with stars to guide me,
I find teddy bears' lost eyes, sew them on
remember their birthday names,
refill fluted goblets, mend
tattered umbrellas lost in the East wind
relearn forgotten lyrics, plant willow seeds,
nurse injured white-tailed deer, rebuild
bridges, remap the way home
and slow dance closer

from October, 2001 issue


Marilyn Injeyan