Black Butterflies in Yangshuo

1

shreds of burning cloth,
smuts, flakes of soot, a black flap
studded with medals

2

if you are the ghosts
of the river, the river
must be in mourning

3

sinister as bats
in a movie, you reveal
nothing, hide nothing

4

the jewels you wear
on your black wings shimmer
before you settle

5

troubadors of night
where are your instruments. your
inaudible songs?

6

see the hibiscus
thick with black hordes. is it death
that you are bringing?

7

such variations
on one simple theme of black,
spots and striations

8

could you be the soul
torn loose of flesh, set to dance
to no clear purpose?

9

wholly enviable
condition to be alight
without pain or grief

10

a grand finale
of black butterflies, the rain
jewelled, falling.