Sleeping Faith {longish fairy tale}

*
Oh!...she is here again... dressed in gold

inside the emerald, I find a human trellis
does she sleep there, is she real
ropey hair the color of leaves burning.

I crawl to her:  are you well
yes, very well, her breath the scent
of lilacs sighing. how did you get here

my name is faith, a cup of tea for a story, please
I skip to the house, excited to hear her story
and learn where she found those tiny earrings.

my hands shake as I prepare the tea, afraid my
faith will disappear, become a part of the emerald
bush, lost to me forever

I return, she is looking in a mirror,
tied to a low hanging cloud
her hair piled on top of her head
lilac now mixes with jasmine

I surpress the urge to kneel, kiss feet
worthy of a geisha, she laughs as if
reading my thoughts. a breeze whispers

the more tea faith drinks, the sleepier I
become, until my body is pressed against
the emerald blanket, the hem of her dress

on my face gentles me to sleep, faith's
cool shadow covers me, and I give up all my
secrets, drink her essence and die a little

in late evening my eyes open, and  I see faith
in the bedroom with my lover, his hands and
lips devour her flesh

faith laughs, glances out of the window and
blows me a kiss. attempting to rise I find myself
tangled in a ivory paper gown

my scent meadow sweet
my heart beating slower now
like a prayer before bed...

***