Orpheus' Head Floating in the Wisconsin River

Written April 14th, 2009

I'm drowning my love,
drowsing,
for Selene will sweep me away
on the eddies.
I'm still singing.

But now comes out a
croak, a rasp;
fat juicy bullfrogs,

water bugs
skimming on silver skates
over my face.

While you were living your life,
I was torn to pieces

by the Maenads,

crowned in snakes,

they were thrilled by the power

I handed over.
All because I slumbered

for a moment.
Tired of being good.
Weary of chirping birds,
the adder mocking me,
the deer licking the salt
out of my hand.

Now the eddy
is twisting me towards the bogs.
I am bodiless,

floating past tree stumps,

angel mosses,
by the occasional

bloated corpse,

purling about the sedge.

Heaving towards the duck weed.

I want to know the tenderness of hands.
The flesh over bone,
well formed fingers
and palms soft
over my own wrist,
up to my neck,
where they rest

for a moment.

Seamless,
in lilac shadows,

where I can feel human warmth
emenate from lips.
Then a flash of smile
before the plunge.

You might see me as I am really am.
The very core of me,
the heart of my heart
and not turn away.
But now place two hands
on the back of my neck
and lean me closer.