Jade Cicada

 Jade in the emperor's death

mouth — to the grave — all openings

closed — no breath — no air — no life

to enter to leave — the end should

be silent — you stop my mouth

with yours — tongue, teeth, lips

and I call from within, rising

to your touch — and falling

beneath your weight to balance

sense and desire, to measure

life and place myself — a jade

cicada — last of the accoutrements

for the mouth of the Han

Emperor — where his blood stained

the carvings — the last parts of his

life — where he was human and

not god - place yourself in me

my blood comes for you.