layers of the rough come softly
pauses the moon beside a smile waiting
the hope that raises and lowers breath
cradled in the hues that call your heart
pulls such things in all tightly wrapped
what do you call your places there
hiding in the creases folds your words
and oh the longing that hangs subtle
seconds drip these walls with melting notes
after this our days do shorten and long
into expanding lines of waning light
it wasn’t the union that he ran from
but the lady laying in the fearsome dark
when layers of the rough come softly
touches the edges of this untamed night
brings the color to her welcome wanting
covers the fading cries of love’s knife
– Previously published 2008
searching for simplicity 