Day 10 of NaPoWriMo: Write a portrait poem

Day 10 of NaPoWriMo: Write a portrait poem

Portrait

A line of oil lamps

flicker shadows

into the mouth

of the temple.

Outside the line of light

all is loud and dark,

full with heat and

cars honking deep

in the valley below.

Behind the water moat,

you stand by the line

of empty shoes

your feet fully clad in the

day’s time and soil.

Hands interlaced

cradle your black hair;

the space between your arms

sharp triangles of night.

Your eyes search

for answers

as the clouds cup

monsoon rains

and flood the air

with ozone and thunder.

From your mouth, not a whisper.

You look far away,

past this temple,

past its silent marble

that you will not walk on,

will not touch with naked feet.