Supreme Abyss

In the voice of Su Nu, courtesan of

The Yellow Emperor of China           

At night, snowfall uncovers
ghosts in the canyons.
I hear the blood-breath of foxes,
wake to the winding path
of ants too weary to climb
my bedside urn.
I count each thread of my pillow,
my mind distracted from
the shallow reef that is my bed.

Yet the colour of his eyes
I see in a brocade noon-flower.
My hand reaches upward
to trace his face onto
the swimming beetles of stars.
Once the night bird begins its song -
it will never end.
How notes skim melody over
the mountain pool that was once my heart.