By Stephen White

III

The Lion shell
swings in a cage
35,000 ft
above the hill of Essian

IV

A rivulet of blood trickles slowly
through the frozen carcass
slower still within the thalweg
like striations in ivory
or blunt knives against the glacial terminus

V

Emerging from a thawing pore
small balloons of rubies
coagulate in the mire
a silent plume of rich red
shooting into the vein of the claw

VI

Without hindrance from the Jackdaw Winds
the liquid drips
falls
finally
into her

VII

She is floating in a basket of reeds
The river fires ribbons
under current
Her hair,
Like the bird nests on heaven’s staircase

…………..

Image: Luke, a homeless man living in Los Angeles, courtesy of Invisible People, You Tube