Vessels Sheeted.

Above the mountain lakes she strides

in sleep beneath the moon in honor

of the morning song of sparrows

cloistered choir of the hedgerow

or the little monkeys chatter

to the coming Easter Sunday.

Waves unfolding one another

like the pages of his novel

fallen at the bedside table

vessels sheeted sleeping lover

at the window finger rhythms

on the glass a spilled sea of dreams

&

so fast the constellations slide

across the northern city sky

with venus rising one inch under

cover – my Queen of Cumbria –

climbs beyond the dotted river

to the hem and crosses over

in her orange brocade and boots.