Just About Dark

Song of Innocence

The forest black beneath a northern storm

the fields are frozen with solstice gone

I retreat to my burrow 

salamander prince

asleep on his nest 

of ivory winter petals

I knew you were there

before the knock 

roused me awake

to find you 

pushing open the curtain 

warmness crawling in 

causing all sorts of 

pleasant confusion

Your handprints 

on the delicate windowpane

all night hovered 

above our sleeping faces

like the aurora borealis 

purple and white with frost

I wanted you all

your heart and whole attention

wanted your admiration 

to never end

and when it finally did 

I asked for your time instead

as a friend 

one soul to another

mind forged manacles  

begging to be broken

my empty palm filled by another

defeating 

the Queen of Hell

one touch at a time

I have a friend 

who came to my home

sat in my chair beside the bed

opened her golden skinned book and read 

William Blake to me.