Darkling, I listen:

I sent you a message today: did you get it? I hung it on the clothesline but a gust whipped it away. It landed in your coffee cup. Did you hear me whistling in the wind? I was there. I tapped at your window, I scratched on your door; I scrabbled in your chimney, I rustled on your floor. I breathe in your ear when you walk. I hum in your mind when you talk. Listen for me, dear. Did you hear me when the sun roared up or the moon crashed down to set? My sweet, unplug your ears. I cry my soul abroad in ecstacy...

          your lost jewel

letter two: look sharp

Darkling, I look:

into your face. Do you see me peering at you? Impish, I rest on your shoulder. I blink your eyes, I finger your brows, I suck your tears. Can you see me flit before you? The paper on the ground, the leaves blown around, the birds southward bound...Can't you see what flowers are at your feet? I bloom, I blow, I grow for you. Pluck me. When you close your eyes I'm imprinted on your lids. But open them, now. Can you see my soul's flight on viewless wings?

          your blazing jewel

letter three: breathe deep

Darkling, I inhale:

your sweet scent. The heady fragrance of musk and amber. Did you feel me in your breath? You sucked me in. I was the wisps of steam, I was the fresh cream. I was in the sage you burned to purify yourself. I was in the exhaust you coughed at the bus stop. Circling in your lungs, I was there when you yawned this morning, there when you sighed at night. Drink me in like oxygen, let me be your inspiration. Let me cling to you like incense in the embalmed darkness...

          your lingering jewel

letter four: moisten your lips

Darkling, I taste:

your essence. Did you taste me, today? I lingered on the rim of your cup, I smeared your plate. I was in everything you ate. Savoring the flavor of your food, or the drink that spoiled your mood--I was there. I roll around your tongue, I settle in your stomach. I bite my lips in anticipation. Beaded bubbles winking at the brim...I'll swim in the wine. I'll be your salty brine...I'll lick your limbs...

          your starving jewel

letter five: rub your fingertips

Darkling, I feel:

I caress your limbs like the sunlight. Do you feel me? I'm the wool of your coat, the silk of your slippers. I tickle your throat; I tweak your nose. I grab your elbow; I pinch your toes. Did you feel my arms around you as you walked against the wind? Did you feel my fingers in your hair when the cap blew off your head? My darling, my dear-- I press myself to you when you toss in the sheets, when your bath water heats. I lap at you in the tub. I rub your eyes to sleep...I'm tumbled in a heap. Pick me up. Feel me...my message vibrates...

          your warmed jewel

letter six: open your heart

Darkling, I am:

Have you heard me at all? Have you listened without ears, seen without eyes? Tasted without tongue, breathed without lung? Can you touch me with your soul? I stretch across the space, I reach for your face. You are so near. So dear. I'm in your dreams. Your day-cares and night-mares. I'm the vision you seek...pierce me with your insight ...I'll walk with you on starry paths of light. The night will be our guide...

          your glimmering jewel

letter last: anguish

darkling, i've lost you......!

          howling

          shattered

          j---

copyright 1995 by jewel (Julieann M. Brown-Micko)

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