At first she embraces
melancholy
but as she packs
treasures away
Walls become just
walls and Place
shifts definition.
I leave small things behind
when places quietly intone
beckon from lonely shadow
some tangible confirmation
I noticed them waiting there.
Your shapes grope
two silhouettes singular
staccato breaths
I hear too late
to disregard
I see you
these crumbling ruins
beckon me to document
acknowledge
honour somehow
by lens capture
enter sanctuary
its distort purity
or distractible enhanced
huffing
one hand reaches slowly
crack closing
folding green door.
stealing records
cheating on the exam
lying in confession
posing naked for money
hitchhiking alone
engaging in casual sex
losing the contest
ingesting illicit substances
stealing some stranger’s truck
driving while impaired
wailing out Styx and Boston songs
impersonating a famous poet
pretending everything’s alright
wearing spandex
which one of you is untrue?
Half a lifetime
how long he wandered
misery unspoken
reluctant fluid fingers
playing music he
learned but
did not wish to play.
Who are you
What song are you singing
What is your circumstance
Why do you look so—
Why are you alone
Where is your mother
Who is your father
Who cares for you
Does anyone
What is your name
Why does your face draw me so
Why do you follow me
Why can’t I walk away
Why can’t I forget you
Why can’t I let you go
I hold you
I comfort
I take your small hands
in mine
I call you Marley
I whisper your name
comfort language
I feed you
I clothe your torn body
Warm your small heart
fill in the shattered parts
slow soft
words love story song
I walk with your independence
You lift me from blind gutter
We dance in the starlight
Your touch lighter
no longer dangerous
deliberate caution
emergent awareness
self
until
I am satisfied
I can release you
to the world
again.