The Balance

At dawn there was a tremor
Below the cavernous wind-picked sky
Coughing through talk and pipe-smoke
Reveals the entrance to a mine
The balance keeps it from breaking
I loved you then
They passed in beards and moleskins
Beneath a curtain but out of shade
There's stains and holes on the scarlet gown
That devours suitors then turns to dust
Come back with nest of lark eggs
Rather than words come thoughts of disgust
The balance bends before us
Seeking refuge as daylight breaks