The Jeweled Eye
A ruby eye on the clasp of the gold
Bracelet at the loved one’s wrist now
Opens like the blink of a sparrow at dawn
And I say it sees her in this entirely
Private moment, steam rising
In the shower’s heat pouring over
Her olive skin, smoothing and soothing
As waterfall slipped into a mountainside
Cascade. I say it sees the gentle curve
Of her breast and the rare occasion
Of her hand slowly working a cloud
Of suds through her hair like the vague
Thought that vanishes into itself in this
Spell, a visitation without announcement,
No sound, no interruption, she’s held there
Calm and safe as the bitter cold
In a January snow sharp in the dark
Outside begins to break and
Melt into the conjured years ahead.
