SPIRIT MAN
by
Linda Boyden

Part 1
Deep velvet night,
the Seven Sisters watch
shadows flick acress my face;
cloud ripples on the moon.
Under my pillow
your thunder speaks,
hoof-beat rhythm of the drums:
chanting our love song,
crying our dream song,
cursing our magic night song.

I rise ___
breathe your name to the moon,
"Beloved, Beloved Man!"
Through glass prison walls,
I stare ____
patient pulse,eager for reply.

Part 2
You rise ____
toss your massive head.
White shag, ivory horns
sear through vaulted black;
rear and tear
the supple path
beneath thunder hooves.

Part 3
Across the ribboned trail,
the moontrail of the night,
my silent voice commands,
"come home, Beloved Man, come.
Home to me."

The words sweep and spiral,
gather strength,
lure you to my side.
My prison shimmers, vibrates to your beat,
breath quickens with delight.

I feel you first ____
tremor through my legs;
hear you ____
warrior wails against the dark;
see you ____
a speck fermenting into bloom.
I stand, unflinching target of your sights.

You lunge, ghostly arc against the sky ____
your rushing breath, inhaled,
melts my snow.
Black eyes rivet;
pierce through my empty shell;
swallow, then redeem my tattered soul.

Strange harmonies in tune,
our forces spent;
jagged breath now metered and controlled,
we rest.
Shattered, intersected, yet combined,
full moon meetings of our souls.