Homage to Emily Dickinson (iii)

Inside the dark -- between the stars,
Where bodies do not shine
Collect the spectral memories
Of those I held as mine.

Some nights they ask a neighbor -- Wink --
To tender me a sign.
Or I can squint -- and Concentrate --
Enjoy them for a time.

The farthest star that warms Ceylon
Puts tea leaves in my cup.
Every -- Soul -- a Thales,
Dropping down by looking up.

Though skies tonight are clouded --
And eyes myopic, too --
No blackest black obscures
This knowing that I do.

Homage to Emily Dickinson (vi)

Grief -- the uninvited Guest
We suffer -- awkwardly --
Too ignorant of what
A constant Friend she'll be.

Through all her morbid chatter,
Repetitious with self care --
We listen till we truly hear
And find it's -- no one -- there.

Bending near at Resolution
She kisses fevered head --
Then waking from -- the Trance -- we know
Just how to miss the dead.

Homage to Emily Dickinson (vii)

Thunder of your Scorn
Remembered, jolts the bed --
Trespass trembles wary heart,
Creases weary head.

Foreswearing counter crimes
Itself is not the peace --
My Candle seeks the Needle
To sew wings upon this Beast.