Transliteration ii (Heartlines)
Rhythm of uncertain
fate, the facets of
a crystal structure
edged with taut thread,
woven through her
footsteps leading back
to where she was—
now vanishing
without a trace.
The falter of a heart
beat is mimicked
in her breath;
no longer a sleep
walk but a daydream
in her eyes.
The sketch of
her capillaries is
illegible, the melody
in her pulse
is of a different time
signature, one with
which she is not familiar.
She's trying to read
poetry in another
language of running
ink and shakes
her head but the words
of beauty are leading
her anyway in their
blessing. Suddenly there's paint
streaming across the page,
blotting out her mind
but she doesn't mind.
There's a prayer of
bewildered desperation
on her lips: to know
this language and why
she's taken with its
rhyme. It's kissed
off her every time
until all she can
remember is the burn
of snowflakes over her
skin. Blinking won't
budge her new reflection.
The caged bird who's song
she's never heard before
is fluttering in her chest
and for all her wonder
the tears won't give
an answer.