Joan Shelley
Teal
Shock of teal blue
Beneath clouds gathering
And a line of emptied black
On the waves at the horizon

Like a glimpse into cold, dark space
Where I go when I've been short with you
And bad with words
And I have hurt the tender things around me

As to break your window
For the immediate relief
To tear apart summer's stuffy and stale rooms
To tear apart summer's stuffy and stale rooms

For fresh air and wind and waves
For fresh air and wind and waves

Looking further into the distance
The bones of my neck lifted
From their inward curving line
Oh love, escape this inward life

When you have spoiled it at the table
Like a child in a fit of protest
Screaming out just to hear your name
Like a child who would break the window
For fresh air and wind and waves
For fresh air and wind and waves

To tear apart summer's stuffy and stale rooms
To tear apart summer's stuffy and stale rooms
For fresh air and wind and waves
For fresh air and wind and waves
For fresh air and wind and waves
Creating the work for winter