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The Abbey

By Chad Hollis

Uncurling sleep
the rose beds down
in the milk of the moon
collecting chinks of cold
the spoon lock of stone walls
drinks deep arches
unpenetrated;

Burns stars between his toes
around the fountains
the light goes underfoot
blooms garlands

He walks
his
leaded thoughts
through glass;

The tides press in
sepulchers of moss
the gargoyle in her bed
of water dreams blows verdigris
feathers float from eaves
pollinating lilies

His forehead
like a sleeve to hold
her lines
tremble with tears
scars
in the garden
harden

One thrown stone
throws a green tide
she is woven
between the locks

He is regretting
that he never let her in
to fall down on her knees
to pray