A Distant Embrace That Beckons, collage by William Wolak

 

Unpredictable Pleasures

You’re a shipwreck
rusting into sand,
but keep the wind’s sighing
inside your tattered sails
even when the world seems cold
as a coffin’s white silk lining.

Like the breathlessness of sparks,
the unpredictable pleasures of love
always arrive capriciously.

The one who demands burning
never neglects kindling;
every raging fire begins
by igniting parched twigs.
The one who demands burning
never regrets singed hair
or scorched flesh.

If the embrace of fire
suddenly opens before you,
become the rain’s kisses
locked in wood.

 

 


About the poet:

Bill Wolak

“I write poems, translate poetry, make collages, and take photographs.  The creative energy and drive for self expression is the same in all of the above; for me, it’s simply a question of what materials are at hand and where my attention is focused at any particular time.  My first love is poetry, so that’s where I expend most of my time and creative energy.”

You can see and read more of Bill’s work here: https://www.ragazine.cc/2016/07/william-wolakwords-and-images/