fall of (wo)man

you were born by the mountains

and I by the water

i watch your eyes 

and tell you about paradise lost and what it means

how it shapes the opinions of women

i am not eve

i fall far from temptation and am not delivered into evil

i ignore the toad by my ear while i sleep

i keep my mouth closed tight

and burn my tongue while you tell me your feelings on religion

you say eve was not so clever

she was clever enough to not fall alone.

country skies.

i am reminded of all the things i do not have in the urban village

where there are no tree-lined streets

or darkened highways.

my hudson valley

i left you and felt you were not what i wanted

i breathe you as you howl around

i find pegasus and orion and sense of smallness from your peaks and waters.

in a sea of faces i will never find the same pegasus, 

in this sky, she'll always be the same.

the fifth humour.

these faults live in unison

they do not compete 

or bicker or banter.

they fill my veins with all that i am

continuing their way to my feet and my fingertips

causing the whole of me to swell 

this pride this envy this lust this condemning nature

this pride this vanity this shame 

"i listen to the bray of my old heart. i am i am i am."

i am.