the leaves are nearly gone now, but the rose
we planted in early May persists, and i
can see still the scars the ivy left, pulled vine-like
and root-wise from the inside of the back fence.
when i feel lonely just right, they itch, the dark
fingerprints like love-by-night bruises
on the inside shadow of my back thighs,
drunk on espresso and vodka and dreaming.
it is after one, and the sheets have lost their color.
you are painted in moonlight through the open November
window, a crack. the rose is without perfume, but
we have no need to breathe. it is near noon,
and we are tangled in the poems that haven’t come
out in so long. my arms are stronger for it.
the leaves are nearly gone now, naked and dead,
but people gather in the park over the city
to sop up the autumn sun. there is a girl
and a dog and you are distracted, and dreaming
tastes like soap bubbles, easily broken,
worth the bitter for the bloom of the November rose
the tenth muse 
Perhaps you cannot smell the rose, but I got many a scent, sight, sound and caress from this lovely poem!
thank, N.K. it’s been too long since i’ve written one like this. which reminds me, we have a book to be working on…
really wonderful feel and visuals you create in this….the sheets lost their color while they are painted in november light, tangled in poems….the use of the rose and thorn imagery really works, the love bruised thighs….great closing line too…
thanks brian. visually is how i do best, i think. smiles.
beautiful! hope you are well
George
The world you see is an outside picture of you.
thank you, George. it has been too long. Sorry to hear about your shoulder!
Such a fine autumn scene you create with your poem and the emotions one feels as winter approaches.
thanks, slp. It’s finally getting colder here… the autumn is definitely starting to creep into the poems!
Some beautiful images here – for all the senses.
thank you, Tony.
and dreaming
tastes like soap bubbles… love all the images, taste, scent and emotions you weave in joanna… perspective going from the outside to the inside and back again… the people gathering in the park – the distraction…then emotions again….wonderfully woven
thanks, claudia! some people find the change in perspective confusing… glad you enjoyed it.
“we are tangled in the poems that haven’t come
out in so long.”
Ah, you captured that melancholia perfectly. Glad to see your words.
thanks, friend Mosk. it’s good to be writing. hope this finds you well and warm as winter comes.
This is truly a beautiful poem. I am in awe of it. The imasgery is crisp and new and the structure just a bit surrealistic enough to continually having the reader need to go back and reread each line in a good way. >KB
KB, you are too kind! very glad you enjoyed.
I love every line, beautiful.
❤ Thanks, ayala!
Without a doubt, the most delicious write of the night – beautiful… – so much to like and admire here… Beautifully done and , above all else, beautifully felt too. In a word beautiful! With Best Wishes Scott http://www.scotthastie.com
Wow– high praise! *blushes* Thanks, scott! 🙂
For someone, who says so little, your penmanship rips right through me. Hope you are well. George
Thank you, George. Well enough. Hope you are likewise heading into this holiday season. We miss you!