Night lights

Salamanca Long Gallery, lutruwita / Tasmania
Shedding her skin
Never knowing when
To see her lover again
Ebony arm band
Holds and keeps her
From unravelling
When catching glimpse
Of one just like her
Close your eyes
Imagine
Light is dim
Colours dancing
Not easy to
Give in
Somewhere else
Someone else
Minds clasp fingers
Across the distance
Constant surrender
Night lights win

Vibrato

She plays me like a viola
Soft melancholy
Deep and throaty
Ebb from major to minor
Discordant ending
Missed every time
We ad lib
Da capo al fine
Rounds about
Some loud
Others harmonic
Sound of her voice
Surprising
How hair on neck
Stands at attention
Feathering lightly
Like fingers on skin
Barely touching
Vibe reaches deep
Within

Unravelled

Let there be no doubt
No matter how well
I weave my way out
The web of thoughts
Weigh me down
In the most pleasant
Hypnotic way
Like a witch stitching
Magical tales
Casting incantations
I am wrapt completely
A bind of my own making
To pull at a loose end
To test its strength
Would surely lead to
My unraveling
In the meantime
Willing wearers
Be blessed adopted kin
Taking tribal yarning
Tales of daring
To edge of reason
Creating folk fables
From salt spray taste
Waiting for your return
Once again

Tender

Tending to
Small hands
Hair flicking wide
Glinting eyes
Blinking love
Up to me
Head hovering
Under door frame
Burly gentle voice
Giant young hand
Filling holes
In roles of family

Tending always
My secret garden
Inside
Giant limbs and roots
Of memories
To swing on
In the dark hours
Back and forth
Soothing

Tender to
End of work
Ache between
My bones
Echoes of words
From a whole world
Of intimate meetings
Human voice evokes
Cure for hurt

Tending all
Cut stems
New roots
Shoots and leaves
Evergreen
Expanding
Untouched by
Frost or heat
Enclosed glasshouse
Weighted by reality
Preserved by families

Tenderqueer
Sharing spectrum
Kaleidescope
Of fondness
Love me tender
Sensitive receive
Touch of air
Words breathing
Responds anything
Unflinching
Appealing
Secret smiles
Unspoken words
Tenderly recalling
Time together
Fleeting