back LISA RUSS SPAAR
St-Germain Madrigal
Nose the unstoppered bottle,
Old World perfume, vulnerable
plea of the mourning dove,
fragile thrum, may blossoms
gathered, then macerated in casks.
Sweet elder, star blossom, known also
as the Judas tree, its shuttle seedpods
dangling like a body in the wake
of a decision. Pour two capfuls
into champagne, dulcet
bitter thread, sex-bite. Swallow.
The way a throat thickens, naming loss.
Eschew pronouncing possessive nouns.
Take gladness in not counting down.
Geisha Madrigal
Mate Madrigal
Mistress Madrigal
St-Germain Madrigal