Sacrament Of The Sick

Source: Darren Almond Refractive Index I, 2018 aquatint 18 ¾ x 16 inches edition 25

Refractive Index

Waking in a rumple of bedclothes With you And the morning sun

The suncatcher Spins slowly on radiator updrafts

Bending light Into broken kaleidoscopes That travel across our Mingled skin.

-Skye

Virtuous Love

Jean Ducamps, Allegory of Virtuous Love

Image credit: Pat Lillich Source:thenightwhisperer.

Two-Faced

Assemblage of bone and sinew Careful crafting Of hide

I see you Looking out of the eye holes

And know death.

-Skye

Fisherman's Catch

Hapless Mermaid who walked upon the land and grew to miss the sea with its deep dark places

Absent of air

I watched her one evening slip below the surface so beautiful so broken covered by sea

When I pulled her up out of it into my arms I realized she was only a common girl

After all

Shallow pale and choking on ocean.

-Skye

Sally Gall

Caitlin, 1996

Dark Matter

I am in the parking lot Breathing hard My breath traced by floodlight

The night is hooded I have lost the stars I have lost my car keys

I sit on the tar Lost in space

-Skye

Parking Lot, 2018

Source: shadechamber

The Raven

Great Auntie kept a raven under glass in her dusty living room full of curious things

Mother and I sipped tea there on Saturdays Mother and Auntie sipped and chatted While that long dead bird Stared at me with its glassy eye

I sipped seen not heard Under the gaze of this bird Wishing terribly for another cookie

The ladies gossiped and tutted Auntie even reached over and pinched my cheek “Such a good quiet girl”

The raven just stared at me Seen not heard Sealed in its glass

I imagined it soaring Under a blue mild sky Instead of being seen not heard At this Saturday tea

We had a lot in common That dead bird and me.

-Skye

Artist: Andrew Domachowski Source: thecuriousowl

Anna and the Dragon

At dinner Anna asked for a dragon Her mother harumphed a bit Her father spit out his soup Her brother giggled and gestured that she was crazy

“Dear little Damselfly … you know you could never ever handle a dragon,” Father placated “I’ll get you a puppy. Now be a good little girl and eat your soup.”

Anna sighed and sipped her soup, so very tired of being a good girl.

The moon woke her, She loved the moon She loved the night

But she especially loved the dragons that flew Their moon shadows soaring in her tower Anna danced with them twirling To melodious dragon calls

But not this night This night “Father’s little Damselfly” Who woke with purpose Set about ripping up her dresses

She was a good girl She knew how to braid and embroider So, the rope was long enough and strong enough To carry her out of the tower

Once on the dewy ground Anna followed the dragons home all through the night She met them as they landed Fearless in her desire The dragons measured her fierce gaze And welcomed her home.

-Skye

Artist: Nester Formetera Source:peepchic

The Last Kiss

We came together in the end Lips pressed close Eyes closed to who we had become Just before parting.

-Skye

Photograph Title: Striptease club, Tokyo, 1951. Photographer:  Werner Bischof

Striptease Club, Tokyo ‘51

Painted faces and smooth skin Lounging among dressing room clutter Channeling palace concubines For the average man

Emerging from feudalism

Tokyo girls All bouncing breasts and Swaying hips Take the stage.

-Skye

Brassaï • Notre Dame Gargoyle-Paris, 1932

Source: afrouif

Brassai and His Conversation with a Gargoyle, 1932

Tucked into Paris between the two world wars

You came to me with the bright lights twinkling on softly rising city noises

And caught me in my common pose rain worn contemplative knowing nothing and everything

Yes, the photographer cried-

I saw this immediately the flash illuminated everything and nothing of you

How can that be old roof top friend that I only think of you in the rain

When in my grainy photo you are always here

-Skye