you are like a breeze
on a summer afternoon
that sends me flying
~
leigh-anne fraser
we walked in sunshine
along the reservoir
while the geese floated
and called to their children
powerlines buzzed above our heads
and I held your hand
we walked in rain and thunder
first day that we met
droplets that you kissed away
you asked me where my socks were
why didn’t I have my umbrella?
laughing I told you they
were in the car
we walked in evening
under the starry sky
I felt the world
fall away around us
until only we were left
looking up into your eyes
I smiled and then
you kissed me
~
leigh-anne fraser
in conversation
with the sea
I stood with day’s end
and listened to the waves
drowning in their song
I heard nothing else
not the soft lullaby of
the pale setting sun
not the coo of birds
hiding in coastal flowers
I heard nothing but the beating
of my own heart
until I was gone
and only the sea remained
in conversation
with my soul
I stood at the edge
of the estate
wandered in the darker lines
and abandoned buildings
breathed in the faint, heady scent
of who I used to be
I saw nothing else
but the spaces
until I was gone and only
only soul remained
in conversation
I stood with emptiness
arms thrown wide to
the night sky
under a canopy of silver
and listened
to my breath
the last one and the next
I felt nothing else
and there was nothing left
~
leigh-anne fraser
I grow in shadows
toes dipped in wet sands
and running water
protected under broad arms
trees with their ancient stories
and a song
from the deepest parts
of the horizon
told to me in the passing
of each gentle wave
I listen as the crest rolls
and touches the shore
I listen as the birds fly over
calling to each other
I listen as I come undone in the sun
I grow in shadows
they cling to me like threads
of a long dress
pulled away by the flow
exposing the skin to the air
until that me disappears
You will find me in the crevices
the cracks and broken places
where the surf falls
where shadows seep between the grains
oh my heart, you will find me there
in the last sun of the day
waiting in the light
waiting to soar
as the first stars bow
to the night
~
leigh-anne fraser
you lost me
in the buffet
between the wind and sea
no flying here
on the shoreline
after the lightning struck with
reptile tongues to lick my ear
the stars paused
before singing
I lay here
waiting
for you
no flying
in the morning
with the frosted mist
rising
rising
on the shoreline
only the waves
greet the day
after the night has returned
and the dream
dies with the sand
fallen
between
then
as day passes
like a breath
heart stilled
the broken wings
no flying to you
my love, no
I am
already
gone
~
leigh-anne fraser
november 2012
a thousand false starts
stuck between pages
unused journals sleeping on the shelf
fragments and torn thoughts
lost between lines
I wrote words you will not read
stuck my fingers in open wounds
played in the puss
flicked the dead skin away
cleared for healing
I am dancing near the edge
distracted by the way
the shadows blind me
then drawing back
a flash that trips, reminds
tender scars are
still breathing
© Leigh-Anne Fraser 2012