those few moments a falling leaf is a wing by Lake e. Lou
those few moments a falling leaf is a wing
so still she lay in the midnight autumn leaves
her breath quiet against the night air washing over her - she listened intently - concentrating closely to the patterns of wind across & down the dark limbs & the fallen leaves--- she watched those in flight - watched them rattle on their perches & then descent so gently, so quietly - delicately fluttering down to her in bright butterfly swarms
sighing deeply & turning onto her stomach - settling closer to the cool earth - the earth rich & wet smelling - the dead & rotting leaves a soft bed - she held her breath - listening for his approach - his stealthy footsteps stirring the brittle ground cover-
those few moments a falling leaf is a wing
a single lone dismembered wing falling brightly down into the darkness below - the heavy quiet slithered about each limb - coiling over wet trunks & twisting around the stems & descending as the leaves fell - they crawled about her - the quiet pressing against her sides--- leaves & long grasses moved in a distant field - & under her golden tapestried canopy she knew he came- he was close - his breath heavy & low- she waited in the quiet- the skies hung thick & black above them- a cool wet breath of wind rising & falling across the dead matted fields- liquid black skies shining & translucent birds fluttering brightly over the wine-colored reedy grove- their low, low song drifted across the fields like a moan, so low - delicate - & with the wind it too rose & fell in succession, & the reedy grasses rose to catch it - rose to stand in the midst of the sensual sound & fell back without it -
she fought to keep her breathing shallow - following the notes of wind & bird & leaf over the field
the hours stretched slow & languid about her - washed across her like water or darkness - cradled her in their soft textures
& her fingers where the bark had peeled & fallen - the smooth silk of a wrist & the soft limbs reaching down through the dark - reaching down for her - unknowing on the bank of the still dark dark pool, her reflection, only, shimmering on the surface- she stares into it for hours-