Flames

Do not pull yourself from the fire too soon
That heat has work to do on you,
and the Master Forger knows far better
than metals she is pounding
into plowshares
and amulets
and swords.

Do not curse the flames that strengthen,
that make shiny and sharp
the dull iron of the heart.
That Master forger is working,
 pounding night and day,
to turn you into something useful
and beautiful
and strong.

Dreaming

You are like a new-wed bride
who on her wedding night forgets
her nuptial vows and that golden
spouse who lies beside her,
and dreams herself lonely at the alter,
abandoned, made a cuckhold
by some fairer lass,
while her new-wed groom above
supine body hovers, contemplating
supple lines of cheek and lip,
wondering what visions play behind
sleeping eyes.

You cry out in your dreaming,
(and who wouldn't?) but know that even now
some sweet lover is caressing your shoulder,
smoothing your hair on the pillow,
waiting, just waiting,
for you to awake.

Sure, eventually the Sun will rise
and you'll wake up naturally, without even trying;
but why not try a little now,
since this dream has turned so bad,
to crack an eyelid
before the dawn arrives?