on mountains beyond rock lake
clouds tear themselves apart
while we huddle together
i cremate a photo
of us growing old together

our paper arms curl around each other
emulsion smiles bubble
then burst in brilliant flame
our future: a spark that flew up
carried off by Alberta winds

the cackle of magpies
a cry halfway between laughing
and choking
haunts these lodge pole pines
their faraway cawing echoes         echoes…

like i’ve tumbled down a well at night
and swimming up through icy water
i see your celestial face
flickering orange and red
like mars          black birds circle you
look down and my voice drowns

…now i stumble from the fire
to a clearing full of old horses’
skulls and bones
in a crazy circle

they grazed as shots rang out
dying more of surprise
than of cold lead

aspens tremble
i clasp…