Blackberry Abyss

She stands at the precipice of the cliff
thinking back to blackberries, picking licking
the sweet bitter juice which dripped down her chin
youth's years, her mother's voice
Be careful what you wish for
Clouds above whir; swirl in white blankness
like her empty mind, silent but needle memories
of Be careful what you wish for
eyes closed, she leaps soars shatters
a broken memory; splintered shards of self.

Stacey M. Burleson

Dichotomies

She is a wildcat
pink-tipped fingernails
leave no marks
dark hair brushes a
cheek
pools down
her paper skin

He is Panthera leo
brown eyed intelligence
shadows a carnivorous
nature
his sharp teeth
mar her
with his strength

He is a Project Manager
I tell people what to do
he pleads playful, tawny eyes
crinkle Kleenex corners
I would really like a
cup of coffee or
I'll send you to the
Galapagos Islands

A Professor she quips
I don't do what I'm told
her brown bangs slant across
hazel eyes, haughty
Get you own damn coffee

Lizards, moss skin scaly
paint flakes floating
forming lime snow
isolated loneliness
where animal regins
Darwinian dangers of
survival of the fittest

visions of the Galapagos Islands

with a slight smile
she knows she's been bested
she gets up to make his coffee.

Stacey M. Burleson