While I Stared at the Moon

 While I stared at the moon

summer slept with death's black rooster,

her garland tethered to his three toes

with their talons sharp as testament. 

While I stared at the moon

frost made love to my bones,

each on its proper shelf like dishes

in a house with snakes for silver. 

While I stared at the moon

half-dead men danced with half-mad women

though neither was excited, and neither calm.

Roses twined and cut them both with promises.

While I stared at the moon

my fetch sat down on a river stone,

grinning with the morning in its pocket.

I wept and the night ate my heart like a truffle. 

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