Naked

she sits at the bottom 

of an alabaster well

feeling piggish and unworthy

pink skin twisted into

knots like flesh noodles

or flushed and bloated intestines

hair raising as warmth fades

and chill wraps its arms around her

afraid they might

look down upon her

and see only ugliness

an exposed and bleeding 

heart 

too open

invisible cuts

deep enough to lose herself 

forever 

a colossal fear of life

that wears an ugly mask

of anger

.......but then again

a soft and quiet love 
that blooms so bright and far
it could swallow

up your pride and make you love her

again

Afterglow

sit for a spell

and quietly watch

  emerald boughs

 bend glowing 

streams of
 light

to their whim

and softly

jaded fingers 

fondle dancing clouds

of shimmering dust

as tender blushing buds 

break through neon cocoons

against a blue sky

and

just like you

they ache for it.....

the heat that feeds the heart

and roots

and sends shoots of life into the night