Isthmus Fading

by George Hartley

June 14, 2006 Athens

Vicious sways of staggered border
foam, a hug of the shore’s rim
and the echo roll of silent gulls
whispers
embarking—

speak of flesh
speak of fin
speak of fantastic bridges under fragrant fire
swank and flaunted incantation
etched in glass and stone of words soughed songlike:

redding flame of dawn engorging and supple
catching the twisted reeds glittering red gold aura

hearts may shrivel
eyes may mist and fade away
tongue may lisp of its glory
and all the while the worm makes a smile of the moon.

Bonelike glamour and tin teeth
puff and gone on the wings of fiery moths
from dust to dust from spark to ash
slip down into the covers and covet love.