Whispering Light

listen to the pre-dawn still

invisible birds call

while the hushed valley,

a sleeping dog,

expects the sun

collar to the cool breeze

to stray through

the streets dirty fingernails

and feel a silence

pressed to the ground

a riderless car passes

while a plane

slips through the clouds

the mountains snow glowing

under an ivory tinge

white candles

to flicker until daylight

birds crease the air

as steps repeat

and I bob between

the sketched houses

with their utility line masts

inside a breathless marina

traces of lights prepare

as the sun billows

and candles thaw

always melting too soon

at a moment’s breathing

a leaving

like the crest of waves

slowly dying by shore

soft candlelight before sunrise

let’s me hold on to dreams

while holding on to my shadow