Valediction - flipside B - Barbara LM Handley

Valediction

No flowers grow here.
In my memory, dew traces creases of
a star-point flower you offered me; I reach
for the stem but touch
nothing.
Even my fingers lack substance.

The magic of your lyre
draws me; this temptation crueler
by far than my vision of that blossom.

The song rolls about me
wrapping a cocoon as tight and warm
as the scent of honeysuckle in
late evening.

How is it htat your music enters
this world? Trapped in the envelope
of your melody, I chase its threads,
dancing through the caves.

With the sublety of creeping fog
your harmonies encase all motion and
all thought here. Tantalus
forgets his thirst; for your sorrow,
the Furies weep.

Your feet set to
the upward path, the dance of
your fingers on strings compels me.
I long to see your face,
but in my heart I know to
follow where you lead.

You reopened
a barrier mortals cross
once only.

Still, I follow.
Through gloomy tunnels and
across the heavy lake that yields
no reflection.
Every step
firms my flesh. Again,
within my breast
my heart beats. Sunlight
sifts the air; I can nearly
smell it.

Bathed in light, you pull
free of the shadow of the tunnel.
Another step
and I, too,
may stand in the light.
With my first breath, life will become
my treasure once more.

Don't look! Love,
don't look.

I lunge for the tumbling
fall of light, grasping only
air
and the briefest
glimpse
of your dark eyes.

Farewll, sweet husband. Farewell.

I await
your return. Though your breath will lack
the flavor of ripe fruit and
your skin contain no
warmth,
even here,
our love will make a garden.

Our eyes will meet
without penalty.

1990