Author Archives: Mark Ekstrom

A turning away, or perhaps only a glance: peripheral, brief; but my gaze was diverted and in an instant I was swept from your Presence. In chaos I begat chaos, overwhelming every quiet moment with gray words and hollow actions until – my spirit broke and took flight, wheeling in frenetic retreat. Now in silenceContinue reading “Stillness”

Heart and hands of ash: the remains of a life on offer Evidence of fatted and unblemished sacrifices pleasant in the nostrils satisfying to the eye Blackening the sky in fragrant pillars of good intentions wreathed in incense Straining against gravity to reach you, I watch exhausted and earthbound as the tendrils of smoke dissipateContinue reading “Simple Intention”

October rain pelts red-brown leaves prying open  their desperate grip

IOn the horizon: structureA red barn bleaching skull whitepaint cracked through endlessexpansion and contractionA small decaying bloom silhouettedagainst endless blue II I follow the pilgrim trail westthe asphalt ribbon unwinding overthe remains of an ancient seapast caravans of stolen livesrunning against time as the cold sunkeeps its impassive watch IIIBlue turns to black and theContinue reading “The Inescapable Sky”

she’s a beautiful, sun-bright ballistic subsonic sleek siren you trace her elegant arc across the gleaming sky until the screaming descent …wait for it… impact explosion crater you will feel the concussion only much later later later ground zero without protective lenses flash-blinded by a look, THE look you learn to live with exquisite unrequitedContinue reading “Bombshell”

A Trappist quiet has settled over the house and though it makes me uneasy, I will honor it. Harsh words, then no words. Time passes and each unspeaking minute makes it harder to close the distance between us. Your fault or mine, the cause is now forgotten, but the effect remains and silence creates itsContinue reading “An Awkward Silence”