ii.

     we carved animals
     from ivory castles
     floating in the sun.  we were
the doting spring mayflies
twisting upon meadows,
          wreathing lilies between
          toes, breathing --

iii.

between the sheets
of golden chaff,
she whispered,   “let’s dance in the rain
                          on the cobblestone streets
                          before the singing rosebud
                          mutes her swollen gown.’
                          :
     past the shivering
        moon we snuck
with shadows tucked
into dreams.  we were
       waltzing toy soldiers,
       our peace-broken holsters
       licking the finger-drawn creases.
                          :
             her humid words lingered
             against my pallid cheeks.
                  
iv.

over breakfast she spilled
her warm cherry wine
and the tablecloth sea bled.  
                           ‘hell hath no fury
                            for the dead,’ she wept,
                           ‘look, love
                            it snows --

i.

strangers, we were
             :
       our lost nets crossed
over a butterfly.  i caught
the swallowtail, she,
                 my heart

clumsily, we exchanged
names --
               i, orpheus;
               she, persephone