Nature of Peace

I knew it once. One moment,
A frame of time, portrait
of blind-black water as
a pane of glass shimmering
on the inside.

A fraction of the past
dangling like the grapes
of Tantalus, haunting and perfect.

A flawless second, a
glowing, porcelain hand
cut from cloud caressing one cheek.

Moist, parted petals of morning rose
pressed on the other.
My heart burning--
like irons in the fire,
burning to a starlit glow.

First kiss, last kiss.
A haunting splinter in the mind--
I knew peace but once,
and never again.