I knew a woman,
Or did I?
I bound her in stone
To create an idol of perfection
And was surprised and angry
Time after time
To learn that she moved on her own.

I knew her sweet goddess voice
Knew that it would always
Always
Bring me pleasure
Filtered, as it was, by her full lips
Everything she said was perfect, I thought,
An extension of the light
Playing off her smooth skin
An extension of me

But then her voice shifted, a tone caught me
Off guard, and in a moment
Of clarity, an upwelling
Of subconscious emptiness
I realized her voice was
Human
Not always flattering or endearing
The harsh wave that is the source of clean sea air

I think I did know her sometimes
When I knew beauty
To be a breeze from an unknown land
Bearing long-lost memories and
Sights beyond imagination
And listened to her words
To understand them