Pearl Queen
Ode to Xanadu Xero
I dream of the Pearl Queen
alone with her scent
orchid honey blood
painted toenails
perfect
deadlifting side-eye
flat on her back
a feast of coastal fancies
blade of Chardonnay
she crowns foolish people
with beads of warm light.
White rose cat
hair of gossamer clouds
who fell from the guf
with sky swept eyes
long straight nose
she is the mother of deer come to life
ocean’s daughter
on the shore of platinum geometry
born in the pulse of a decrepit diamond
hidden in the fullness of sight.
Throwing bits and bytes
back and forth
our mental fingertips graze
we court ghosts
in the absence of skin
stiletto imaginings
the world’s smirking cruelty
interrupted
by the comic relief of floppy dogs.
But,
I save a kiss for her hand
in supplication
another for her shoulder
in a shoal of dappled light
five or six for the bone of her breast
and two for her feet
as homage to the visionary
vaulted in her skull.
Tell me how you moved through the world on long legs
astounding presence electric
writing stories that men want to hear
sharp wit glittering
wry as a Tuesday in Venice.
Mother of pearl heart
keep my secrets in your side
nestled until dissolution
orbs of soft light to cushion your frame
pearl to replace bone dust
nurse of grief
artful emissary
walk free again
into the ravishing neon night.
