"Blind Mans Bluff"
by S K Dapoz

Taken by kind permission from Father's On-Line Library.

You are a blindfolded walk in the dark
on a cold and twisting path.
I track you alone, 
sightless,
as wind spirits in the maze
finger my clothes, tug at my hair,
push me away and pull me in close
to kiss me then flee
and the rough, wet rocks bruise my body...

Because I have wished with all my heart
to follow you
as you move away from me,
swallowed up in the rushing dark,
I play the game.
Because your pain is somehow my pain,
I do not cheat and peek at what lies beyond.
I play the game.

There is no other choice:
It is possible to play this darkling ring-toss
because you are possible.
But the game will stop when I find you
and I know that you are near.
I will become a piece of something bigger
revealed by your touch in the dark...
and perhaps you will guess
that I am an elephant's tail
or a rope that can pull you up
out of the pit
and into the daylight at last,
home free.

About the Author

S. K. Dapoz has been writing poetry and nonfiction for twenty-five years. Beauty and the Beast has been her first foray into fiction. She has written and edited several fanzines, including the Queen's Knight series, and "All Things are Possible with Love," rated a four in the Q-fer. She owns a small desktop publishing company, Purple Rose Press, and publishes a yearly poetry anthology composed of poetry by Baha'is, as well as poetry chapbooks by established writers. Purple Rose Press also accepts freelance graphics and editing assignments. She is also a software specialist at the Indiana University School of Business in Indianapolis. For information about 'zines or freelance desktop/graphic or publishing rates, SASE to: S. K. Dapoz, 815 N. Broadway, Greenfield, IN 46140, or email: SDAPOZ@INDYVAX.IUPUI.EDU