Unlocked.
it’s been too long
I thought I had forgotten
but with first taste
it comes rushing back
a tidal wave of textures
lights explodes behind my eyes
my whole body alight
and it was within reach
but I was blinded
far too long
greedily I take more and more
tingling pervades
maybe I’ll be sated when it’s dark
but now I feast
with eyes and lips and hands open
taking words from me
twisting
until they bend no further
they’re lifeless things
but I’m holding them dear
lest they dissipate
so many seasons
just watching and waiting
now I know it’s not too late
even if today is the last
even if you try to erase me
my soul has been unlocked
and there’s no stopping
the flood of thoughts
I’m going to share
some are beautiful
you’ll like those
some are truly hideous
you’ll want to run
and warn others
to stay away
it doesn’t matter
I’m not writing for them
or for you
languidly reaching
tiredly murmuring
secret smiles
words left unsaid
there’s no need to speak
when glimpses behind closed eyes
flicker like an old projector
replaying memories
like noir scenes
where the broad gives the tired gumshoe the what-for
but senses betray
when you awake
all alone
The taste is different today
Colors a different taint
When I crawled out of bed on the wrong side
I didn’t know how much I’d miss you
Struggling with an idea
Trying to put down words
Sometimes you have to walk away
But there’s a line I like so I must stay
There’s a shadow of an idea
Lurking about
So with bated breath and furtive glances
I reach and grasp a tendril from the ether
My kids roll their eyes as I stop to take yet another picture. This time, it was a dew-drenched spider’s web. “Why do you take so many nature pictures?” they ask. “You must have a million shots of flowers and trees and stuff,” they say in their childhood- approved hyperbole. “You can never have too many pictures of trees,” I tell them. “Why?” they ask earnestly. Before I embark on a soliloquy of why I love the mighty structure of trees and the delicate strength of flowers, I pause, realizing my children may need a gentle reminder of what’s important and beautiful and valuable. Time to put away gadgets and take a walk.
The Word Rummager 