Photos Of War - From The Encampment Of Heartstrife Poem by Warren Falcon

'like unto like'
but do not say it
my forbidden simile

Photo of War - 1

no milk for her
child the nipple
droops a sad
thing while dogs
run wildly about


Photo of War - 2

Geese tell of return

the burning village
counts its embers
measured in hands


Photo of War - 3

there are treaties

generals

prisoners and
gilded boxes
exchanged

then the
Mongol spices


Photo of War - 4

boys
muddy feet

cheer
chase behind
battalions
innocent fists
raising threat

for them
such regrettable
punctuation


Photo of War - 5

Hold Fast
the greatest
among us

he knows
only war which
makes him great
in one thing
alone

I know
of waiting

what the horizon
safe keeps behind
its ear

of love, yes


Photo of War - 6

your top knot my hand
unknotting

your long hair my
scented bedding

sudden
startled
wildness of laps


in the vase
so very
still

a clutch of stamens


arrival at last -

the fallen petal
of your navel


Photo of War - 7

Dream again

of moonlight

of sewing

that work of warriors -

needling of seams


I know the pattern well
so near to hand
a blessing


let the dead bury
theirs


Photo of War - 8

his face
sleeps upon my
belly

I do not breathe
do not wish to disturb


Dawn just

light fingers
trace in circles

each

breast

what tickles
but a sigh interrupted


Photo of War - 9

In your dream

a gentle
boat slowly rises
with waves

the gentler subsiding

slides up
my torso
to keel
to kiss
to vow

never again to go to war


Photo of War - 10

liar

already
the men are heavily gathering
new arrows hot for flesh

only for yours I am


Photo of War - 11

captured

fortressed


a better world

between the teeth

on tips of tongues

on lip perimeters

strung by kisses


Photo of War - 12

hunger

paper curtains
for ink yearn

their brush strokes
burning stories
to bear



a fly
strolls a realm
just on the other
side of light

only silhouettes

guesses too

thrills at motion so
slight framed in
window gray



slackening skin
the better
when simple
loves caress



in love with
small things
keep what
is seen where
hides the wind


Photo of War - 13

only this

to take a quiet supper
to hear the dipper spilling
too full
the deep well
yielding

knowing a hand of dew
brings such sweetness wet, cool

wet


From childhood our song:

Hurry awake sleepy bee
Softly sings the breeze

To sweetness we are called
when the sun high shall be
freshened with tears our parting


Photo of War - The Last Entry

behind the barred door wait

a lock of wound hair

silk pouch of my gated heart

it will be a hard arrow to pierce it