Que Saran, Saran

In my youth, I was pretty -
my skin so smooth.
Then I got used -
 stretched out -
I was clingy -
A cover for others' purposes.
Now I'm wrinkled and frumpy
 and no one is interested in me.
At least I fulfilled my destiny.

Acquired Taste

Love is in my mouth -
 on its roof -
 like a seldom used broiler
 now stuck on.
My breath runs hot -
 like a quiet dragon
 huffing to itself.
Will I ever express
 the burning word? -
 or maybe it is just
  a gentle kiss.

Oh, you Devil!

After all that therapy,
I can finally stand
 to see myself.
My horns shine,
 regrown
 from when I filed them down.
My tail twitches,
 untucked
 from between my legs.
My hooves tap,
 unshod
 à la Shoeless Joe,
 how apropos.
My bed blazes
 made
 all ready
 for when I lie down in it.

Kintsugi

A favorite item can't be replaced.

The cup I was -
I liked to drink out of -
is broken now.

Was it my fault?
Was it my faults? -
the fault lines that make it
 so easy to break?

No!
In defiance...
No!
In love... with, of, for myself
In the fire,
I bleed gold
and heal.
Resplendent! 

My faults
No!
My spangles
My Self

Plum Dumplings

You delighted me
 proclaiming you were making them
It was the best thing
 I had ever heard of
You asked for sugar
I gave you salt
Thus, my first taste of heaven
 was horror
Oh, Karma
Still the best thing
I imagine
Just a little care
 on my part
the missing ingredient

Vault of Heaven

Child monk
Full of sin
What does it matter!
blissfully oblivious
God cradles you

A footpath lifts you above the ravine
A gentle breeze kisses your cheek
A tumult gusts in the tree tops
 merely to thrill your
 devilish little heart

Blazen Rites

It was a hard winter
 though it rarely froze
In a pleasant, desperate search
 I walk the entire park
 for respite

A tuft of purple crocuses
 The sniff of a dog
  Little waterfalls
 The bend of the river
Will it be enough?

Intuition indicates the right path
I hesitate, but take it
Such a long walk — for what?
and to go the whole way —
 it's getting late

I reach the horses’ ring
The naked woods are on fire
The bold sun hovers atop the hill yonder,
its rays a kaleidoscopic crown,
as if waiting for me the whole time