snails

tread carefully
the night is full of snails;
hobble backed abhorances
making their slow pilgrimage
on the shoulders of grass blades...
small and emerging,
surveying the starless night
they are the only sound

depositing trails of nuptial vows behind them
kissing trudge, stomach born,
the moon slips down like a child sneaking out
barefoot among the trembling foragers
with extended baton eyes

tongueless language
grouping together captives on the porchsteps
dutifully crawling
like gentle mouthing,
gentle breathing,
silent, cornered, creatures
they conduct their blind courtship