Claws Not Tame

these tame claws

are but not benign

not lacklustre

not positive

for negative

these claws know harbour

know scratching in silence

in silhouettes and shadows

in the orchestras of light-play

and dark offspring-marks

when you cradle these appendages

these limbs

these flesh of chisel and plum

remember

to let

me

see your

eyes

these nails and hammers

that move music

play as silk

in a carnival of instruments

that are in my body

can unplug

those marbles

your coquettish tweed suit
needs no ironing
as these claws
needs no clipping

in meditation
they perch
and flow
like tides of water
venom of ice

you can smile
remember
that the eyes

dwell

and fingers linger...