Paranoia in the half-moon light

my shadow jumped out
from the corner

of the cemetery road
and it spooked me.

I laughed and fell
into a dream
fearless
of love

fearless of the moon
and the half-moon light

sparkling
in the wet black sand

dripping diffuse
warm and blue

teasing out love
pulling down the tide

sweeping me off

my feet
until they
danced.

I gave my nakedness
to her beauty.

I am that willing
I am that overwhelmed

no longer afraid
no longer paranoid

in the half-moon light.

—Stacey Warde