desert drag defenseless stray
batting hands
away-

unmasked henchmen
closing in
on..

sunset gone to
forewarn
dawn.

oft mistaken
mortal

grazing garden on
horizon,

golden lemon drop
propping
jaw,

melt me to my
knees-

eyelids part like
dying
sea,

a slip through lips
like portal

to flee what
battle?

a neon light turned
off by small
talk,

tuned into blocked
out canceled
channel-

pinching wick of
twitching
candle.

unlearning, declining
expectations

of what seasonal
transitions
may

yield to the
scythe

splayed upon
table

for final family
meal

goes
undigested,

little
fondness
for who feels?

distaste bores
deep

in minefield rusty
with wheat

not ripe enough
to reap.

worst offender’s
prayer

on two teabag
thursday,

talking dirty more
than we like
to party

favors
for accolade,

praise be
backroom guest

won’t perform upon
request.