No More

The raindrops pool at my feet

as street lights dance
in bubbling reflections
on the paved street,
where you and I once lived.
Long ago, when you and I
were still “we.”
My tears mingle with the rain,
where one ends, the other begins
as memories flood my mind
of when we smiled all the time.
The lighted window on number 24
stares me down like an evil eye
daring me to try
to reclaim what’s mine.
I let you go so easily,
my white dress marred
by your tears—
They are still there
A reminder of my sin
of wanting freedom more
than you.
You appear to me and smile.
A soft caress on my skin—a whisper
so soft, your hands beckon me on.
I follow you down the road
to the iron gates, the monster mouth
that hold you in—
For eternity.

© K.D. Schultz

Pearls

White orbs
in my silk-lined box.

Deft fingers carefully strung
your exquisite noose.
              
I am a bird that will never fly
my wings clipped
and chained by your gold.

My cage of marble and stone
impenetrable, like your heart.

I’ll never
Fly

Away from your hands
around my little neck,
sometimes I wish for death.

I bide my time
nod and smile
to your clever lies.

One day
it will be time
to take what was mine.

One day
I yank with all my might,
such exquisite delight

as they scatter to the floor.

A hundred little taps–
I’ve never enjoyed
a sound more.

And I breathe again
once more.

© K.D. Schultz

Sand and Water

I retreat to the house
that sits on the edge
of sand and water, where
you and I once laughed
and swam with the whales.

I still see you—a flash—
a peripheral malady—
a welcomed sickness,
desperate to be close
to the one who cupped my sorrows,
letting it drip into the unending tides
of love sublime.

The soft wind of your breath
caresses my neck,
enveloping my body,
leaving it tingling
with cosmic electricity.

You wait for me in the waters of time,
so patient for those first steps
where I sink deeper
into earth’s quicksand.

Our bodies move as one
suspended in eternal delight.
              
                         I’ve never felt anything so warm.

© K.D. Schultz

i have looked for you, as i have

i have looked for you, as i have looked for myself
and never finding either, but you call
softly to me over the blackest of night,
caressing my cheek with your song.

your silence frightens me, as the thought   
never to hear your voice, like bells
ringing to the heavens, as god smiles;
never has there been such a sound.

if i shall never hear you again, the memory
will carry me over winds of time, scattering
the ashes of my existence to the place
where you will be forever, waiting for me.

we are nothing apart, but together we are one
we are the same, connected by the fragile cord
of love, brilliant with the fire of the sun
and deeper than the darkness of the heavens.

i cannot fathom the power you hold
over me; sometimes the most extraordinary
things are not destined to be understood
they just are

© K.D. Schultz

Movie Star

The vultures are circling
Perched to strike
Again and again.
Are you looking for a sign
Of frailty?  Of weakness?
In my skin.

They eat me whole
While smiling.
Lights flashing
Taking my soul
It tastes good,
              doesn't it?

I adjust the mask
It has to be tight
If I must survive
This business at all.

Breathing in, I see
Their mouths
Of jagged white, 
I breathe deeply

And smile, and smile, and smile

My best role is yet to come
Such lies everywhere-- no?
But fools abound.
I begin...

"I'd like to thank the Academy..."

© K.D. Schultz