Breindel Lieba Kasher, IL

 

 

Free Verse   Indiscernible Incantations   Indiscernible prayers, through stained glass, a crooked moon limps along crooked roofs, a village full of dead lovers who wait for you, arms open, slowly, slowly, winter stars fall.   On the Edge   Love’s got an edge, ancient, armed, dangerous, cross her, she’s cat, arched back, ready, clawing, groping, overdosing, under your skin, a little prayer, a little sin, out on a ledge, in a silk night dress, a cold wind blows, a good night kiss, close your eyes, make a wish.     Summer Bees   Packing, a few belongings, summer bees returning to yellow apple trees, I am leaving old skin, in the Middle East.     Self Portrait   Here, I live, a refugee, my past is gone, I killed it, what remains, is a mystery, jazzy memories, past lovers, time grinds down the dead have secrets, returning isn’t simple, how many I speak of it? I will tell you, come closer, this moment is perfect.     Mixed Media   Behind a curtain fragile, a flicker, a flutter from a woman uncertain blue-gray shadows unfaithful servants gnaw at your ankles get hold of yourself or let go you know trouble you wear it gracefully like a Spanish shawl black, and lacy what shall I say it is hard letting your guard down I am a desert wind, sand seawater, pearls, ancient coral. give up can you lose that lost girl or the image of sainthood? can you give up the tough girl? face it, that bit died a long ago really, who do you think you are? poet with nothing in your pocket nothing up your sleeve all your holy beliefs, let it all be scattered, like dry leaves all the longing, all the dread wet dreams, night sweats let it all rest a few winter stars a few flakes of snow she stands by an open window barefoot and see-through