BLUE

from cobalt china improvised vessels
to towered Istanbul the end of the Silk Road
to labyrinthine Byzantium ancient track and temple
carry my blue

from aquamarine waves in protruding roils
to pacific cliffs the last door west
to naked Tahiti refuge of artists and aliens
carry my blue

from lapis lazuli caves interior mines
to turquoise-strewn desert sandstone peaks
to navy yards full of mothballed ships
carry my blue

veiled for the mother deserted by distance
the matter of image caught in fantasy
the city as madonna with flowing hair
my blue necklace chokes me chokes me

wed to approval, constrained by taboo
I cannot tell that story yet.
caught coming and going
between children and parent
I cannot tell that story yet.