Fog

Long ago you kissed

the nine

You struggle to remember

Something else is slipping

away

In this corner

I am blind

Ghost

She got to her feet

To fight better

Each step a rushing out

into empty

The little ghost slept

while she gave it purpose

She nurtured it

like her own child

soft from the womb

and kicking

She dressed it in

paper dresses

She dressed it in

smoke and flames

She fought, still,

the little ghost slept

If only for a little while

Warrior

She’d left the room

            in a whirl

a dusty vermillion cloud

behind

I took her place

Steadfast, I had hoped, but

            still,

wavering

Only sick people had to whisper.

Every word that falls from

the mouth

is a silver spoon lost

Focusing on body

This pain, a cold, steady

This pain, spasmodically,

            inside

She’d left the room in

a whirl

It left me dizzy

and

            Separate

She took my breath

It took the strength of

a warrior

            gutted and blood smeared

            knife drawn and fighting