sixty-five acres
on the edge of forever
east of the river
that runs to the sea
taking the last
of my reason held over
and eighteen more candles
left burning for me

when the first to let go
of unspoken promise
a cedar box laden
with white china dreams –
picture frames filled
with the illusion of magic
teacups could never
hold everything

twenty-one pears
and two dozen peaches
an orchard too small
for the plans I allowed
when nothing could stop me
the pantry was empty
crystal blue soldiers
(what’s stopping me now)

stayed up the night
til the windows were weeping
for someone (one more)
I was meaning to count
had I not been alone
when the record was started
for a lifetime (a moment)
of living too long

I cried and I cursed
begged for another –
and banged every door
on my way to the porch
made myself sick
with things I’d forgotten
in a place filled with ghosts
I can’t put away

lace to the lids
my grandmother’s curtains
ruined her linens
one night in the barn
wrapped in a tablecloth
bed facing heaven –
shared every secret
come true with the dark

where is the ribbon
you loosed from my hair
the color of twilight
and yesterday’s truth
was stored in my closet
in an old cigar box
with a penny I found
while looking for you

one step
and backwards
watch for the table –
eyes search the shadows
for somebody home
swirling and twirling
east toward the river

were not for the peaches
I’d already be gone