There is no capture of these tie-back moments
when the leash jerks and pulls me in
closer to your heel

Drawbridge lifts for your passage
but we will not swim those waters
cold and shallow
meant for flat bottomed transport
of light lily lovers under parasol ribbons
They tear hard crusted artisan bread
Paglietta spread soft
by knives without edge.

No no, not you
you pull me under deep sinking breathless
breathless biting the woven braids
thin strip patterns like the reeds
of the Nile, water proof
you secure my passage
you tighten another notch
feed me Caprino Romano
hardened goat,
grated sharp.


�2006 by Jennifer VanBuren