THAT VELVET MIDNIGHT by Bob Paris © 9.12.2014

This midnight realm above

Like scattered diamonds

Tossed by a reckless goddess

Over a departing shoulder

Burnt by late summer sun

To fall hither skither

On that rumpled bedspread

Of black

Velvet

That we call this night sky

Around these alien parts

Forever separated

Forever together

Where Apollo fleets

And Diana quivers

Down to the underworld of Pluto

And away to the far reaches of Aries

Of always and beyond

Under the stern and squinted gaze

Of

Remind me

Again

I forgot which day this is

It happens

Which era

Which lamb are we to slaughter

What alms shall be offered

In deference to pregnant thunder

To threat of everlasting retribution

Avert the flame alighted

This ripened fruit that bursts upon

An exacted altar

What song doth please

The ever shifting realm

Which passage true

Which false

No matter

For above me spreads a diamond scattered

Rumpled cloth

Black velvet yet a moment

Then peach and violet at each edge

Then spectral

And my heart beats on

As does yours my darling

As does yours 

THAT VELVET MIDNIGHT by Bob Paris © 9.12.2014 all rights reserved