dream

from winter's edge I saw your shadow in the sunlight, and was reminded of green buds.
I was reminded, too, of those flowers with their petals a white moon-color and their hearts bright and vivid as the sun.
only it was your sepia-tinted sillhouette that brought back the memories, and for a second melted the ice.
love, dear, was a stranger to me, and here it was holding you before me like candy.
and suddenly my heart faltered a little in its diligent beating, distracted for a moment by something new.
never take candy from strangers

the darkness closed around me like a rose growing in reverse, folding its petals neatly to protect the light within.
for days and months afterwards I dreamt of your sweetness, your beauty, your impossibility.
and candy wrappers fell and were blown away by the wind, swept up into landfills where reverie accrued.
never take candy from strangers