Demons

At the balcony of demons
eyes are wildest
when clouds boom through the bay
and trees bend to breaking waves
sailing darkly back in time

Thoughts stumble dirty bed naked
to wake me screaming again
craving a bloodless impossible
spring cleaned world
where no-one ages and children never die

Guilty spirits of my own childhood
mock with useless air
pausing stairwell breathless
their cloaks of disinfectant
urging me to climb

For a greedy moment
I play the boy inside
that strike sweeter than ever
volleyed perfection driven high
top right corner, poor hapless goalie
left rueful with a smile

They say I fell asleep
driving home
that the bridge and I were lucky to survive
though I may never know
who was luckier, she or...

In the graveyard crows gloat
pecking loneliness
that buries me alive
The shadow of her stone
scathing as I write
then gulp at the stars and scribble--
Out

One last demon
the most infernal line:
Hurry God,
if it's not too late
please take us
back in time