by Paul Ilechko
Red-faced against tenderness
the blood rush the heat rush
her as distance closing
her as apparition as ghostly burning
whispering his name
soft links corrupt with time
the fire of youth returning
itching to change the line
dead snake in the road reminding
of a time before time was real
half-booted and pressed to heel
the stain of light that paints the leaf
trapped in false equivalence
beneath a towering blue of grief
all pain must lead to promise
regrouping under extremity
a planned retreat from misery
red-faced and burning slowly
bartered and blighted
as separation finds its end
her as reality her physical presence
she takes his worth to mend.
Paul Ilechko is the author of the chapbooks “Bartok in Winter” (Flutter Press) and “Graph of Life” (Finishing Line Press). His work has appeared in a variety of journals, including Juxtaprose, As It Ought To Be, Cathexis Northwest Press, Inklette and Pithead Chapel. He lives with his partner in Lambertville, N