Ode to Katie

When was the first time that I held one
Of those slim, perfect hands? I couldn’t have known
Then what I know now—the glory of words
Burning within them. The dragon in your eyes

Rises even now, wings shimmering—like sunlight, your
Radiance fills me. Could I have known your light then?
Could I have seen you? The hair falling into eyes, and
Within brimming, overflowing—deep ebony creases of

Tears beneath the moonlight, scented with vanilla from
Your inner candle. I want to tear them away from you,
Blot those ink smears with the corner of a scarf. I want you
To keep writing, your frail fingers striking the keyboard like

Sledgehammers—all the power in you, all the beauty
Culminated in winged words and dragon flight.
I want you to smile, heart burning with light, whilst that
Dragon, deadly and brilliant, phoenix-like, rises again…