dream lover, en garde

you set your blade down

for me.

danced with my fists,

learned the pace of my boots

on gravel and sand. the moon was red

in a hardened sky. you wore a skirt

made of teeth and broken mirrors. above it,

a skin still weeping blood. at least one of your eyes

was blue. I knew I loved you

in the way I knew the mountains I had never seen

awake. In the way we fought with steps I've never learned.

There were no sparks when we finally touched,

only your open laugh,

your pulse against my boot.

if you find me again,

give me a swagger's bow

and a blue-eyed wink

and show me

a broken glimpse

of mountains I've never seen,

a love I know

but don't remember.