of these
and no more
I would swear
my allegiance –
and let not another tear fall
would pass unafraid
to the edge of the knife
with courage to suffer
for all

restless to wander
the last one arrived
to places I already know
held as a child
whispered a lover
of somewhere I passed
a long time ago

were doubt
and regret –
of sorrows to sew
shared of a vision unseen
written to secrets
will live in my stead
and curse not
the hours between

my heart
keeps apart –
moments so dear
forever decided
as stars without shame
fell not the distance
of years into light –
or splintered by thought
into flame

. . .