One last memory

If only they had seen

sunset drooling on a counterpane,

or felt the salivating nerve

draw taut a twisted smile,

they might, at an untidy pause,

have snared the taunted beast

with scorn or sympathetic barb.

But nothing spoke; nothing moved,

or saw the ugly tear, brim, swell,

slip, slide and fall on faded patches

smothered in the half-light.

Neutered with imaginings,

lust in crimson eddies quivers;

hovering on moistened jowls,

swimming with deceptive creases,

passion heaves its weary prelude.

Tearing claws dissect and ribbon,

letters cursed, but then forgiven.

The face alone remains,

posing taut frivolity

with predatory guile;

Baring false perfection…

in a curve,

and small attempt at promise…

in a look.

A hint of female nightmare…

crows the eyes;

A modest, unobtrusive nose.

Hair startled by a sunburst,

but knowing not to hide her face.

Abandon gleams through parted lips

and would have spoken of a smile,

had not the shutter fallen;

thin bright angled fragments

latticing her startled face,

lengthening the jagged shadows,

closing in the sagging head,

growling one last memory.