Chagall Takes a Prisoner

Morning breaches a flying horse.
All day she hears the noise

Of brushes, refusing to fall in love.
She says, "You're not leaving already?"

He says, "I must, I have to go
Shelter the bride and groom."

Each of her eyes reflects
A small house with a pointed roof.

She says, "Don't you want me?"
He says, "Not unless I break you."

Evening offers a black dandelion
And the paint collects in her heavy mane.

Copyright © 2008 Mark Yakich All rights reserved
from The Importance of Peeling Potatoes in Ukraine
Penguin Poets
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission