Born a love child of fern
And death
the castle whistled on cold nights
hoarse
large cylinder candles blaze
dripping hot to stain as texture
frozen time
her cat lay on the four-poster bed,
hazy whites, smudged linens
the walls breathe
alone
her hair, dark raven updo
a butterfly brooch gleamed
ruby
her spine tall
pale fingers on piano keys
foot holding the damper
as the notes sustain long
into the night
Layered Fragments, Becoming Whole 