Mira Walker
Arms
Ravi, an old school “friend,” lands back in the branches of Megan’s life after thirty years. She is not easy to trace, so he looks up Daniel, her partner of twenty-five years.
flashing flames
cyan, sulfur-yellow
the bunsen burner
high-school chemistry
experiment kicks off
She comes clean, talks with Daniel, gives warning in advance. Even at this point, it is worth getting raw to preserve his trust. In return, he grants permission. She hadn’t sought it, but tucks it into memory.
He senses the flurry of her wings. It’s long since she fanned them. Adventure beckons. A touch shyly, he grins and wishes her well. This spirit ensures she homes endlessly to his heart.
She lies alone or with Ravi.
resting
reverent lovers
skin blissed
he sings a tribute
to the weapon he sells
Shots of adrenaline flood her muscles. The death and misery, she thinks. Gasps: real women and children! He apologises. Protests he is only hawking to those who deal onwards. He’s short on detail. She lies awake, wondering if she could withhold till he gives up the gun. It is fruitless arguing with his bread and butter. Soon their skin is balmy, within, without, again.
can a raven
become a dove?
while she waits
her sage says sweetly
why not keep them both
About the Author
Mira Walker lives and writes on the lands of the Ngunngawal & Ngambri peoples of Australia’s Canberra region. Her poetry is published internationally, haiku anthologised and tanka awarded. She watches weather patterning, colouring and texturing ranges on her horizon.