Poem: "Calm Before"

Calm Before

I.

Pass through light
where the haloed rain seeks
shelter, unwinding north
in great, heaving exhalations.

The heart is a hummingbird, hovering.

Fingers, trembling blades,
        grass in a dim summer
        rain laced by fireflies, you catch
                me behind glass,
                breathless.

II.

Pass the rough light
where hallowed brains speak
of shelter, suddenly recoiling
in great, heaving exclamations.

I pour myself a little pitcher
all cartilage and sound,
and last week's forgotten earring.

The mind is full of champagne,
the mouth, wet with celebration––
        bubbles breathe softly,
        head aloft, like the silence
        after a song.




                    - JVH