Ring of Fire

And she jumped through willingly, every ring of fire, an animal doing tricks, in hopes of pleasing her trainer; presents-a-plenty whenever she succeeded, loving words and tender touches that soothed the wounds and eased the burn. And though he longed to be her master, he misstepped one too many, and as any wild lioness, being

ignis fatuus

Enveloped in a cocoon Safe in a protective crowd Intent in this technique Forever shielding himself Lost in glorified illusion To keep from coming apart His ugly unknown truth Self-serving lies A knife looming Forever in darkness Threatening to shred Threadbare foundation Alone in the corner When everyone has gone Haunted by echoes Broken wailing

Imitation of Life

Alas the emotional storm has subsided And once more the predator preys Assuming a false identity So as to bask in the wake Of his disease and destruction To see in an image To read within a word Anything resembling him Proof he had been there Touched Taken Given Forsaken Succumbing once more To this

Depiction

There comes a certain “feel,” no matter where you happen to be, whenever his thoughts turn in your direction. It starts at the basic level of the flesh; like the cool breeze on a crisp autumn night; tantalizing and chilling all at once. Your blood pressure rises, heart rate increases, as he sends invisible waves

Reparation

Within her circle of stones She drifts back to that place Casting out shadows Demons handsome face Once lost in his darkness A labyrinth of despair Longing for an illusion Twin flames sweet embrace That lone wandering drifter Disguised as a sage Stealing souls Trying to make it pay She felt he was coming Hyena

Letter to Veronica No.1

Dear Veronica Lake, The truth of us. Something you believe only the two of you share; yet something we’ve all been forced to wonder about. We too had a truth in an airport, he and I; just as he had truths made up of lies with a plethora of intelligent, creative, beautiful, loving, soulful women;