Abandoned

Her candle burns in the dark chamber.
Where did she disappear that sunny day, while
all the faeries chased the fireflies across the evening sky?
No one bothered to keep track of her dancing
and now she is gone, in the vast light of the milky way.
She is gone, retreating in that graceful ballet
She has taken her summer song and left that candle
burning in the chamber. The moon rises now.

And all the faeries chase the fireflies
through the tall grass on the roadside,
while I walk the darkened lane, gas can
bouncing against me, wondering, just like yesterday
where did she go in that vast light? There is a memory
in my darkened chamber: Her eyes glittering with
excitement as that vessel long ago came to dirt
again, a thousand years after we had left the Land.

And here, in the country of the faeries, no one
remains but me, still planning the plan, still rhyming
the logos, seeking movement, returning to the stream,
if a stream is, indeed, what it is.

You were so charming, Artemis, running graceful
Naked-poet rondelays, the silky streamers ridden by the
faerie crew upon your sequined self, ribbons of light
flowing from your shoulders, the little folk laughing.
And they are gone, too. Did they go with you?