we should have gathered
our things
– our thoughts –
before the tooth fairy’s twine
ran too low on the spool
but there’s always such a rush
of fools
squandering the sweet first air of morning
breathe and move as one
it’s your body and mind to keep
we should reclaim
our reins
– our thoughts –
before we forget our hauntings
growing tired in spirit
but there’s always more
to explore
setting alight a wanton heart
I had to hurry
the trees were curling inwards
threatening to cover the trail
I could barely keep ahead of the destruction
dark pines were dappled with amber light
the smell of smoke pervaded
I still wasn’t sure if this was even real
there was no slowing down
even around the sharp curve
my feet pressed to go faster, further
memories of other escapes assailed me
I could taste the terror
the metallic flavor of fear
I was making my way through the tumult
expecting the hills to fall down around me
but finding a path, though it grew smaller
darkness settled in
eventually comforting me
as it halted the flow of disturbing images
other senses took over
but somehow became skewed
to my own version of reality
was it what I hoped
or what I feared
or was it the truth
any questions I had I held in check
as I realized that though there had to be others
I was in fact alone in this
after traveling far
whether by time or distance, I’m still not sure
a glimmer arose in the horizon
and I knew I was on the other side
Don’t write me off just yet
I’ve just been tired
Can’t seem to catch my breath
Be careful what you wish for they say
Being open to possibility can be a trick
You can be too open to heartache
I’ve worked so hard to let go
Exist only in the moment
Let the past and future alone
But the moment is overwhelming
Too many sensations
I’m breaking down
Don’t leave me just yet
I can learn to focus on you
You can be my moment
You have all the colors of the spectrum
All the tastes I require
All the music I need
Where I was alone now there’s hope
Company calls and I deck the halls
And return from climbing walls
If I try really hard I can separate lines
Detect your patterns
Revel in your ability to help complete me
Don’t give up on me just yet
I’ve got my second wind
I’m awake and ready to Be
Driving the quiet old highway
Just after dawn
Cresting the curve
Blackbirds rise from the field
Joining others from memory
Flashes come quickly
The first flutter in the womb
The agonizing tearing away
The hollow loss
Empty hands aching
To hold the little one
Now just a figment
Try to hold onto the wheel
As the car careens toward pastures
Lush with life
The tainted joy still remains
Somewhere deep within
The hope of a future
A chance at redemption
In one little perfect smile
Now wiped away
And no one remembers anymore
Except an empty womb
That still feels the flutters
Gone too soon
On the other side of that hill
On that old highway
As the sun peeks over the hills
There may be no better time than this right second
Right where’s you’re standing
In the breath you’re taking
There may be no other time than today
Because yesterday, though it lingers, is too late
Because tomorrow is too far away
There may not be another chance
To step forward
To step into the fray
There may not be any others who understand
Who will care
Who will try
There you go with conviction
With truth
With heart
There you go
Traveling with gods
Traveling through your door.
The Word Rummager 