Painting, Perfect Ending, by Erika Perloff
the black lines
of the poem
undulate
like a centipede
tracing odd paths
across the screen
i cradle it
in the palm of my hand
as i once cradled you
as you once cradled me
hunched and squinting
i struggle to fit an immensity
into such a crabbed
impossible space
in a few hours
we’ll walk the hills
above the beach
where everything will be
as it once was not
sage scented path
red trail winding
obscure cloud curling
all
in an instant
seen
(the far past)
a burning line
cutting across the sea
joyful swirls
are tattooed onto my skin
your name
a red heart
and a banner
held aloft
by two birds
Lines on a screen
Ink under my skin
A burning on the sea
That which you love
Remains
