she was a flame, burning out in bursts rather than a steady wick.
secret letters written with lemon ink,,
tattered parchment-
pinned her hair back with age-old stamps.
dress of 1973 newspapers,
ink streaks along her eyelids,
paintbrush eyelashes,
secrets hidden in her sleeves.
decoding words in smoke,
reading thoughts inscribed in his eyes.
blue lips, purple cheeks,
a sight for sore eyes.
empress of secrets, tired of war.
