"The Enclosing Darkness" & "Come My Middle East"

The Enclosing Darkness

The voice speaks, says
its piece, then ceases like
the snuff of a match, the flick
of a light switch, the suddenness,
the finality, the enclosing darkness

and we are left with the cup
of our regrets and the formless
thoughts of the appointments
not kept, of the conversations cut
short, of the emotions never expressed.

Perhaps this is the blanket with which
we cover ourselves in the long night
of our despair, perhaps this is our only
defense when we do realize

that against the ravaged winds of this world
how finite and fragile we truly are,
and that perhaps when the time comes

we will be next.

---

Come My Middle East

come my middle east drink my soul
with your mouth buried deep
in the almond desire of our kisses

move your body down the chill
of my skin that yearns and aches
for the touch of the sirocco
that lies in your sure brown hands

. . . that smiles with the wisdom of generations . . .

for the stars light your laughter
when the song moves as a prayer
from the lips that came to you as a crusader
but will leave as the conquered

come my middle east dance my soul
with your mouth buried deep
in the almond desire of our kisses

lay the army of this occupation to waste
for you are as old as i am young
for you are as patient as i am impetuous
and i am unable to withstand
the stone inevitability of your passion

. . . that smiles with the wisdom of generations . . .

for the time will come for us to awaken
from these desert dreams that drive me
to desire the cool night winds of your smile
to quench my long thirst in the oasis of your eyes

where the ages shred the skin of a serpent
who was sent to guard the gate of the gods
only to become the villain of the gospels
when he desired the forbidden fruit

. . . that is found only . . .

in the almond desire of your kisses