Generic

your face 
the match flares on striking but 
goes out in a leak of air. 
aglimpse of your face 
frightens me. 
the stink of burned sulphur 
lingers yet i light another, 
sheltering it till the wick catches. 
the barely illuminated space 
induces shadows that are 
deep and many. 
unexplained fear 
arrests me andthough i 
long to look at you 
my eyes search elsewhere. 
an audiblebreath before 
you blow out the flame. 
occupied again by darkness 
i find my lighter 
but as the flint sparks 
your hand stills mine, 
then 
you move away. 
again. 
 
02-28-10 
©tlp 2010