Staring at the Milky Way in a dream of ecstasy
he thought only of the sweet nectar
of days long gone.
Mixing the oils once again on the firmament
she teased while the paint dripped
tiny drops into planets.
Orion floated her hair of stars and flames
burning the irises of a young heart
sparks shattered the silence.
Slender as a ray of infinite light he craned his neck
to reach the pregnant celestial bodies
for a single taste.
Blinded in desire, dissipating all senses into dust
swinging her magic wand like a mace
she saw him beg.
Softly her essence caressed those pitiful lips
he trembled in his shriveling shell
and sweetly he died.
Fabrice Poussin teaches French and English at Shorter University. Author of novels and poetry, his work has appeared in Kestrel, Symposium, The Chimes, and dozens of other magazines. His photography has been published in The Front Porch Review, the San Pedro River Review and more than 350 other publications.