Captive

Seized but unoccupied
the stranger's heart

and I recognize my own
hands reaching for light-

corpse white, eager.

Who confuses the carnivore
for the penitent?

These are more difficult:
the cold design of stars and

the long-winged harrier
whose hooks pierce their mark.

The skin fails its course,
the universe unfolding-

a diamond-backed snake, strands
of twisted hair- gold as sunset,

the peel of that fatal,
prophetic fruit in the mouth

of Judas; captive, sealed up
and nailed to its coffin.