Egyptian Sonnet (4) Poem by John Yau

Horizon helmet horse hierophant
Sun presses clay snakes back
into rows of snarling eyes
Bristles bring back their prey
Red tent clouds lifting wings
Blue wizardry of lizards falling from
mouth of lion mounted in umber sky
By the time you reached me, I was fading
Into paint, dust lips were all that remained
Moon's prim carcass, black star's
framed mirror pulled by chariot
Dog circle imprint shadow
I cannot stop and look back
I should have carved my name into your face