for year-long winters

you twinkle light, you twinkle bright

a glowering gas ball of infinite might!

the cusp of clarity caves, the crispness

curves tonight.

you cup me and swallow me,

you tickle me with delight. i thought i saw

(i thought you said)

today is not the end.

i toil with you, i toy with you

for no particular reason i remain

as if tomorrow proves, it breeds into

a herd of oxen in your domain.

(i thought i said)

your heart would, your heart would not

meld with metal like a stroke of luck.

as ridicule, as minuscule,

a decant of my sorrow, would breed not.

where my love is placed,

save me! i say, may the goat pass your way.

these are the middle struggles

for my earth-borne summers

as there are parapets and amulets

for year-long winters.