End Game















In the corner of the yard a raven coughed
echoing an old wives' tale
looming above
sky slate blue
sliver of outer space shining through
ominous cold.
Ice storm began
and I held out my hand
each crystal I caught disappeared
In the corner of the yard
a raven coughed
eyes of stone gray
refused to look away
I blinked and in that moment
you were gone.

(Image: Samuel Bak, Chess Piece, 1933)