Orpheus and Eurydice

the bunched toes stepped into light
strewn with dust of Tartarus
walking with careless pretence
stained with sap of asphodel

all attention craning backward
through the nape of neck
bristling for hint of other
following up from darkness

he drank coffee at the lazy stalls
to the table sat turned sideways
other seat out of sight-line
unaware if else sat there

such faith is touching, but can't endure;
when his face and hands were brown
with unaccustomed sunlight
certainty killed his patience

sunlight she must have reached
even though she's snakebit lame
with a smile he turned; greeting failed on lips,
the other cup untouched; the shady path empty