I woke up and fear said good morning,
drank my coffee and put on my shoes.
Thinking him a guest, I said nothing,
but i wondered who'd invited him in.
he lounged, he chatted, and he ruffled
through my desk, flipping the pages on my calender,
a small smile playing about his mouth.
I said nothing, thinking perhaps he was an old friend
whom i'd forgotten. Nervously, I smiled, and gave
him the key to the attic when he asked.
Instantly i regretted it.
As he ascended the stairs, I called after him;
he ignored me.
A sort of wild madness beset me. In the kitchen I found a knife.
I could hear footsteps above me.

an open stretch of sand and sky,
an island meets the water
I'm standing in the silver cold
and I'm the ocean's daughter

the scallop shell can never tell
how vast and wide my home
nor catch the sweetness of my song--
it is lost among the foam

storm and snow cannot deter
my travels through the deep
last night i heard a baby seal
crying in its sleep

i found it moaning on the shore
alone in spotted fright,
i led it to a little cove
& it swam away alright.

[engaged]

Thrilling to the sound of snow
melting; of sun on skin
and February thaw -
all within sings for briar rose
hedges, thick green for the birds,
lingering twilights,
and hours spent walking beside you barefoot,
you, my own true love,
my own June bride......