Refuge From The Storm: A Tanka Sequence

morning crows--

one by one they gather

to feast on refuse;

like these carrion, women

gossip at the backyard fence

peccadilloes--

our imperfect garden blooms

wave in morning sun;

winds of the day forge lies,

tales more fragile than crystal

my secret love,

beware the strumpets’ tongues--

the honeybee stings;

the bite of the viper

is a deadly venom

in your embrace--

safe tonight, your breasts clasped tight

in our sanctuary

we whisper and kiss away

their mumbled jealousies

John Daleiden