KNOT Magazine
Fall Issue 2022
Eira Needham
Indian Summer
Spirit veiled in mist
swirls, rushing back
to kiss my cool cheek.
Gushing warmth seduces.
Swallows linger
in brittle reeds.
Though daylight dwindles,
shadows vanish; lips lift
teased by sultry caresses.
We waltz
in a kaleidoscope
of copper and lime,
leaves flurrying across
baked terrain.
East wind blasts
a spangled rime -
vaporizing into brume.
When the Clock Chimes
You wear a smiling mask for my
arrival, beyond which I glimpse
torment engraved across your brow.
Compassion drains its syringe
plumping solace pillows - Bright Eyes
plays softly, floating like a dream.
Outside, a northerly blusters through the pines;
time chases us through shadows
its faint tick-tock reaching into night.
I roll back the fun times we shared,
remember when laughter glinted your eyes,
until the crab nibbled it all away.
Morpheus' Tryst
Fancy a glass of Beaujolais?
Both snug on the sofa
I chuckle at his banter
until the clock's chimes
suggest we whisper
goodnight.
He fingers my ring -
yet bold lips brush mine;
a lingering feather-touch,
tantalizingly tender
leaving me gasping
as we sway in the doorway,
wide eyes scribbling messages;
titillations.
Warm breath tickles my neck;
smothered in sinfulness
I crave more,
then jolt awake
my heart drumming
to warblers' early serenade.
My man sleeps -
I turn back to doze
daring
to dream again.
Glimpses of My Mother After Umpteen Years
By chance I catch a glimpse of her,
salt and pepper waves kissing
cyan ripples about her neck.
A thousand Lepidoptera tickle
anticipation, until she whirls
around revealing an unfamiliar smile.
As I exhale they burst out
of my ribcage in a rush, transporting
all desires to an obscure realm.
One gatekeeper flutters back
hovering nearby
then settles on my lifeline.
Eira Needham is a retired teacher, living in Birmingham UK. Her poetry is eclectic and has been published in print and online. Recent and forthcoming publications are in, Voices From The Web 2015, Foliate Oak Literary Magazine and The Linnet's Wings. She has also been Featured Writer in WestWard Quarterly.