Poem For A Phoenix Rising

	"And there is a charge, a very large charge
	For a word or a touch
	Or a bit of blood"
				- SYLVIA PLATH, 'Lady Lazarus'


since you said 'i love you'
and signed a blank check for my soul
words have poured out of me
into the silence

an ocean away

since you were prometheus
and handed me the flame
with which i burned my bridges
point of no return

you're oceans away

since you said 'i miss you'
it's been quiet
my seasons are not your seasons
my time is not your time

we're oceans apart

since you have been lazarus
in the darkness -
you terrify me, love
my miracle, my enemy

we've lifetimes apart


November 11, 1995
© Lela Kaunitz