Four Poems
Alek Lindus

Oracle

As the sea laps
laps
laps at a wooden wall.

"Saharan mnemonic"

In caves
quiescent bathers,

dream water
wrenched into tiny
particles of dust.

"He paints"

slanted hip

torn from his eyes,
puzzled lines.
His fingers
bone and cavity.

"The Pass"

promise you won't
twist the wind
or thread a shepherd
walking with stick

that horse stops
Ears bent to a
mingled sound
of Persians and betrayal.

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