in the morning
Anna rises
naked
to stretch
arms encircling light
as the room
breathes her scent
then exhales her
into the world
other writing
we climbed the rocks
it was
at that steak house
on the coast
we climbed the rocks
later
after having surf & turf
and talked
more or less
about the state
of our ununion
funny
how little remains
in my memory
just a faint taste
of lobster
the sound
of waves
hitting rock
and the sad smile
slowly fading
from your lips
Anna in water
there is a dance
one does
in water
a dance Anna knows
so well
step high
swing low
the river current
strong and sure
her dress tugs
against her thighs
lift up
arms out
like spreading wings
and fly Anna
over water
to the sky
beyond
Anna at the window
her face turned
three quarter profile
gazing pensively
at the city half asleep
snow falling
a cathedral bell rings
in the distance
her breasts rise
with her breathing
as she ponders
the future
still a blank canvas
to draw upon
for Anna asleep
your naked body
stretched out
on the bed
sunlight leaks
through lace curtains
eyes closed
your dreams
filled with Chopin
as images
only you see
are painted
on the walls
of your imagination
always the cat
always the cat
climbing on whatever
chair desk bed cabinet
necessary
to remind me
he’s still around
these long nights seeking comfort
an unquiet mind
a riddled heart
these long nights
seeking comfort
in the warmth
of arms
from lines by Yü Hsüan-chi: seeking blossoms
like a butterfly
still seeking blossoms
I dream
of the way
your lips
move
when you speak
Istanbul, the world
they offer condolences
these great leaders
of the world
but their bickering
their self-interest
make their words
hollow
and people
cry out
when will it end
this cry
echoing
through the centuries
it will end
when it ends
which history shows
will not be
in anyone’s lifetime
meanwhile the bodies
pile up
on all our doorsteps
on new year’s eve
we move
toward the future
with history
on our backs
Leonard Durso 