(A Portrait)

 

Your breath, a white net, a gossamer veil

falling into the dark waters beside

your hand. Your hand, a coral branch, a gray

comb, now parting the curtains from your eyes.

Your eyes, two halos, fire-ringed coronas

beaming bright as moons against the blue skin

of your face. Your face, a cobalt opal,

a smooth luminescent stone balancing

upon your shoulders. Your shoulders, a wood

frame, a cross buried in the sand, pressing

into your spine. Your spine, a marble road,

a long porcelain serpent constricting

around your womb. Your womb, a burning house,

a violet light pluming into your mouth.