Drove past a mansion the other day,
high on a hill,
grand and stately,
with manicured lawns,
and wrought iron fences,
adorned with Morning Glories.

Then I drove on,
to a cozy little house,
swingset in the yard
and a trike in the driveway.

It may not be much,
but it's mine.

Walked past a gym the other day,
sculpted forms of the human physique,
active and graceful,
growing strong and healthy,
fashionably decorated
with the latest workout attire.

Then I walked on
to a medical center,
examined and tested
a barely passing grade.

This body may not be much,
but it's mine.

I went to the park the other day,
a cheerful young woman,
pushing a giggling child in a swing,
while another built castles in the sand.

I may not be much,
but I'm theirs.

Fate becomes the bitter night,
devours the Dream
bereft of sight,

betrays the Innocent

Who watches still
the Stars that fall
upon the sill.

And yet within
a Spark alights
in search of Meaning
to enflame

the Passion requisite,

that burns with raging Fury
at its Core,
and shreds all contradiction
with its with Scorn

till nothing stands
but might of Will,

Defeats the foe
who kept us still.

Along the river's edge
a figure bends
to dip his earthen pots
into its vital flow

they sip the precious liquid
shimmering and crystalline
like diamonds floating
above the eclipse of the sun

they become transformed
from dormant vessels
wearing the dull
pallor of mud
to vibrant cisterns
radiating the glow
of polished jade

they breathe away
exhaustion
in frothy currents
rushing
past swollen lips

to join the constant stream

till he bows low
and receives their treasure
suspended from a wooden frame
with frayed and twisted rope
solidified not yet petrified
soaking yet and squeezing still
the moisture dripping
from their fill

he lifts the wooden frame
upon his shoulders
and keeps its balance
with his arms
his back strains
his legs straighten
as they raise their heavy load

he looks up
with eyes set deep
beneath his furrowed brow
thick parchment skin
and thistled hair
are all that shield him
here and now

he sees the road
that he will take
this time around
and sets one foot
before the other

away from solid ground

he goes to bring
to those who
find him
the lading
in his care

he goes to meet them
in that place

past faith
past dreams
past hope

Perfect imbalance
of tumbling sky,

the fairies laugh,
the witches cry,

it matters not
what havoc comes,

the piper sleeps,
the drummer strums,

the boxer lifts his mighty arm

to crush the air
but nothing more,

his foe is gone
and is no more.

Across the hearth
a blazing fire

and chiming embers
as they fall

melting from the logs,

we reminisce
of memories lost,

a scent of dew
a touch of frost.

The sirens were no match
For the pounding in my ears,
Or the hurried breaths I gulped
To exhale nervous bursts of air

Into the lungs of one
Who gave life to me

My eyes were no match
For the scene when they arrived,
Their uniforms obscured my vision
As it began to blur,
And colors slid past shapes
Like views through vintage glass

And though I couldn't see him,
I knew that he was there

My breath still in his lungs

The sea came rolling in,
On beads of foam and glass

It licked the grainy floor,
And chased us to the sand

We turned 'round and laughed
To mock its reaching lips,

Until a tidal wall
Came tumbling upon us,

Grasping our knees,
Curling our toes,
Stiffening our spines,

As it suprised us
With swiftness and with cold

Then just as quickly it retreated,
Hoping to take its prize
But we stood still and steadfast,
Digging our feet into the shore,

While the ocean's edge rushed past us,
To regroup,
And renew the chase
Once more

"Not today!" we shouted,
With victory in our eyes,
As relief turned to defiance,
And truth returned to lies

Perhaps tomorrow
We will dive into the crashing waves,
And spread our limbs
To cool ourselves
From fires that burn within

But today
We will stand tall,
And watch blazing hues
Of amber and magenta
Dance with cobalt blue,

As the sun melts
Into the seam

Where the sea meets the sky

j
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                               s    
                   m
        o
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   e
      blew
          from
              your lips
                     to wisp
                           right by my nose

and though it put the candle out
          it drew
                my lips
                      to yours