prisoner of war

i woke
and thoughts of you exploded
with the scent of hair pressed
to nose nestling near lips 
speaking gentle words muffled 
under blushing cheeks;
the intrigue of your inviting eyes 
sparked ignition.

now pieces fall 
like you-shaped snowflakes
onto the white bed 
of an Ohio Christmas;
shrapnel cutting deep into me, 
nesting under skin, 
making a home.

the cannon fires again
from the beaches 
of your sunlit heart, 
melting fear,
and
d
 r
  i
   p
     p
       i
        n
        g
down
sweet lips,
as a dog's tongue drips 
when she's smiling 
from too much play-
from too much happiness 
in one day.

one day.
closer.
that is the gift 
of this sleepy-eyed morning
on a blurry trail
miles from my destination;
feet guided only by the stolen pin clipped
from your chest's grenade; 
the compass leading me through the tale
of my kamikaze capture by you;
of a patient imprisonment
inside the safe-house of your soul,
awaiting the day of freedom