Poetry by Heather Nicaise

Neurological Defects

A serpent winds about the spine.
A fog seeps in behind each eye.
Flaming nerves desiccate the brain.

Fires burn through monsoonal rain.
Absent sun while pregnant clouds cry.
A serpent winds about the spine.

Lightning ignites the arid plains.
Thunder rumbles in a doomed sky.
Flaming nerves desiccate the brain.

Dizzying winds whirl golden flames.
Another crack and more sparks fly.
A serpent winds about the spine.

Crackling, smoldering increase pain.
The future: Only ashes lie.
Flaming nerves desiccate the brain.

A dark haze muffles boundless time.
Mother Earth continues to cry.
A serpent winds about the spine.
Flaming nerves desiccate the brain.

Dew slips inside
the Phalaenopsis petals.

Butterfly silk blankets
swaddle apprehension.

A velvet pony muzzle tickles
fingertips to look for sweets.

The dinghy sways
from undulations & scrapes
the crepe paper sands.

Lamb fleece muffles sirens.
White noise throbs & hums;

the fan's rattle-whir insists on slumber.

Hands are unable to curl
fingers around tools;
orbs will absorb
the sky & wings
will harken zephyrs.

The hummingbirds swing on
the trapeze again. Iridescent artists
streak the sky with impressionism.

Satin-petaled poppies swirl
in spring currents. Like wood shavings,
they disintegrate to detritus
& commence again the journey.

I'm not yet ready to leave
the solace of the chalice.