passion
comes from the lips
the tongue
the kiss, the curse
the jewel, the toad
the story passed from mouth to mouth
passion
comes from the hands
the skin
the rhythm of blood
the language of bone
the story passed from palm to palm
passion
comes from the ground
the earth
the sun's hot kiss
the wind's dry breath
the story passed from rain to soil
passion
comes and goes
we come and go
miles and months between us
passion
comes and goes
leaving breadcrumbs, stones
black feathers
red blood on white sheets
passion
comes and goes
desert rain
leaving stories
and cactus, blooming.
About the Author: Terri Windling is a writer, artist, and editor, and the founder of the Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts. For more information, please visit her website.
Copyright © 1997 by Terri Windling. The poem may may not be reproduced in any form without the author’s express written permission