sunset

there is first fear
from the absence of light
followed by a new lightness
of the dark's sweet and ambivalent embrace 

something more alive than light 
comes alive at night 
heat evaporates 
and leaves room for 
the first deep breath 
of something kinder than 
hot
light dissipates and summons
a lighter light 
of a dimmer dark

life is rich when you know how to taste it

when summer days are too mean to breathe
the cool night is a fresh reprieve
i ice my wounds of the day
with the cool caress of the night 
where wrongs finally don't feel right
where sixth scents outgrow sight

there is no hiding in the dark -- 
         everything is illuminated with equal,
                                                                                 indifferent
                                                                                                                tenderness

what ails you still,
when the sun has set,
and you are not? 
dare to tell the darkness 
the secrets of your day,
and watch wistfully
as the heat of your anger,
heat of your day,
heat of your pain
will finally have 
somewhere to go.

how could one ever freeze
while nursing her burns?
welcome the boundless black
that holds and heals
all that you yearn
what left is there to teach?
what more is there to learn? 

darkness is rich when you know how to wear it;
it fits like a linen jumpsuit