soul tending

i tend my soul

as i would a fire

prodding, poking

banking, stoking

adding what is needed

at any given time

then gazing deep

into the flames

i listen to the

song she sings

ecdysis

if i were an arthropod

i'd most likely molt

rainbow exoskeletons

if i were a snake i'd shed

kaleidoscopic skins

but my blood is warm

and my ecdysis

takes a different form

dreaming woman

o honey-sweet

dreaming woman

you with the

ample breasts

and rounded belly

i love the way

your soft fleshy arm

makes a fine pillow

for your head

and the way your

generous hip curves high

as you lay on your side

calling to mind

all of the mountains

i have yet to climb

sanctuary

my heart is

heavy today

there is

so much pain

in the world,

so much pain

my prayer:

may all who are

in need of it

find sanctuary