Sunset Beyond Catastrophe

Behind harsh eyes I sought
a soul—
in futile light's brief touch
my heart swelled with catastrophic pain.

You called me near, distinctly...
what name did you use?
Bearing the wound of what I couldn't have,
my pet name in your slow voice
like the dawn of some impossible hope.

With your touch-shy nature—
you held me by mistake.
Again it took time to understand—
you hurled that proud question with such force...
then pulled it back just before it could strike!

Now your intent stands revealed to me.
How strange your gaze!
Even trying to avoid it, my chest trembles breathless.
Your reflection in what I worship—
as if trapped in exile's chamber of light.

Toward some scorched memory of destructive love—
we set out;
the moment I touched your fingers—
we arrived at the next destination.

Sunset time has come—
beyond disaster
we're about to witness
an unearthly beauty.