These Women I Have Loved

These women I have loved are never
far from my reach - they are lined neatly in rows
like the dolls of my childhood,
regimental, nestled safely in my
ventricles, the soft and dimly-lit
olive branches that stand straight
and beautiful in my heart. These women I
have loved; the survivor,  preacher,
violin teacher -

they are never far from me, these
women I have loved - in the click
of a key, the hiss of a cat,
secreted in the dark glint of birds,

those delicate and fluttering hands
that are pale and fierce
that are musical and ruinous
that twist their fingers and call out to me
against the scornful dark
of the morning
sky
.