House & River

On the left, the house--
on the right, the river;
along the path--the low, deadhand grass,
the jealous burrs,
the lateflower on watch for evening.

On the left, the house--
on the right, the river;
by the path--the restless sinktooth cur,
your bracelet lost,
and the moon reflecting herself in it.

Did my lips kiss curve and scar the same?
Did they speak each of your dozen names?
The thorn,
the berry,
the briar?

On the left, the house--
on the right, the river;
where the path bends--the gibbet-necked heron,
the cat bone stars,
pouring lives like silver into the borrowed body of a Nixie--you, in full song.
_______