A Study of St. Barbara

A Study of St. Barbara

Her palms fall to the floor

to stick--

her veil uncoils

from her neck and brow

kissing the ground under her long virginal

strands

her pale gold neck, unhinged

from the shoulders,

rolls out of place

as her breasts swoop to curtain

either side of the ribs

popping through her frail chemise

and her chin’s jutting masculine

propped by the tower

fixed between her knees

and her fingertips

stroking the arabesque

of the windowsills

jolt when the violent gust

of light

illuminates her lips,

burning her teeth and eyes,

singeing the lashes on her cheeks

of gold,

holding a talisman

of sanctity

inside her heart

woven between the veins

blossoming

electricity

floods from the sky

in through her body,

out her lips

striking the executioner

to the ground

in one sweet, holy kiss.