Gliding Past Midnight

It seems so long
since I’ve seen you up close
winged friend,
round curves guiding this body to rest,
the peacefulness of the circle,
the female whispering lullabies into the darkness.

Tonight you came with a rapture’s talon lunging at my throat,
my voice cutting the blackness in a single glancing blow
before carrying the silence
toward morning into the west.

I long for this kind of decisiveness--
to leave the nest at dusk,
fly over the shadow of trees
without the fear that clips my wings,
tethering me to this sleeping hunger
who dozes as his prize,
his fading treasure, is swallowed
by this hungry hound
at the heels of soiled boots.

Come again tonight and I will be awake
waiting to hear you glide,
cutting through this ignorance,
my beautiful red cloak open at the breast,
exposed to the healing coolness
of midnight air.

Enter me here in this place
and the magic
can’t help but dance
with joy.