July 10 - flipside B - Barbara LM Handley

July 10

Dust, thick before noon,
leaves
shreds
draped like Salome's scarves.

Like chewing rubber bands;
dries my tongue
into an alum frenzy.

Ponderous sunlight sags
through the dust, milk strained
in canvas. Creamy drops
splatter on dirt,

exploding pock-marks
on its tender face.
I wish rain would
fall and drop
her fingers in my hair.

Won't the moon come out,
and jig,
his silver boots
skimming
the earth?

I long for night,
her dance
of
veils
serpentine,
to seduce
the disquiet powder
that hangs
its residue on the day.

1988

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