I Leave This at Your Ear

For Nessie Dunsmuir

I leave this at your ear for when you wake,

A creature in its abstract cage asleep.

Your dreams blindfold you by the light they make.

The owl called from the naked-woman tree

As I came down by the Kyle farm to hear

Your house silent by the speaking sea.

I have come late but I have come before

Later with slaked steps from stone to stone

To hope to find you listening for the door.

I stand in the ticking room. My dear, I take

A moth kiss from your breath. The shore gulls cry.

I leave this at your ear for when you wake.