rebuild from memory
the plans I drew
when I was eight
on playground dust
when all lay ahead
the extra room
just to read
separate from the rest

an escape
with made-up names
for special rooms
in the woods
people come and never stay
loneliness is irrelevant

open to new memory
draw on loam
near where I live
images of what I think
a light that only I see
a guide imagined
a relief
to give freely

some days fold joyfully
full of promise
like moonglow over the hills
welcoming tumbling stars
to bowing grasses
blowing in the night breeze

some days carry songs
ancient and true
through branches reaching
for warm sun’s enfolding grace
breaking breath and heart
with hopeful melody

in a nod from the clock
I rose
without a derivative thought
bathed
to the tune of an eclipse

while they were all busy
with superlatives
and cosmos theories
I held my teeth in
with my tongue
wanting to cry out
since it’s been too long

am I not glowing anymore?

I can’t gather
what they don’t see
how I’m burning within
and why
can’t I go
find me
unless
that’s a myth too
like the moon and her girdle

kept the flower
tucked in my hair
letting petals fall
like rain
on a sunny day

walked softly
in the woods
talking leaves
bending our shadows
footfalls like drumbeats
primal and driven

rode quietly
in the train
watching blur of trees
rush past
recalling the gasp
of our pleas in the dark

plucked my lips
between your teeth
pushing clear thoughts
like song carried
into foggy night