knives sweeter than arrows

flesh of silk and snow

naked as a fawn exposed to winter,

draft seeped through window

that cast a lemon block outside,

pages before her with ink that began

to merge,

precious silent thoughts

lifted to starry skies,

sorrow had not brought it’s shadow

her eyes strong enough to look  into

the fire and show innocence,

telephone rang

the artist whose heart moved in spirals

waited with canvas and sable

and when snow retreats

and fireflies waken

she would stir to his caress,

till then entwined with knowledge

of youth and biology

lessons planned for each week

distraction long holding

avoidance to all things carnal

despite prick of skin

and clamor of heart,

she would wait as others too waited

and beneath soft auburn hair

decisions would be made

Jamie Wyeth Monhegan's Schoolteacher

Jamie Wyeth Monhegan’s Schoolteacher