It takes a long time
To burn out an old tree stump
Aged beyond measure.

You're a trite phrase,
spat with pity,
but with grace.
You're the warm
inviting smile that
stays stretched
on my face.

You're an
autumn wind
sending shivers
to my core.
You're an excess
of wealth and
I've no want
for more.

I used to want more out of life
Much more than being a wealthy man's wife
I wanted fame, no, I needed the glory
That would come when people heard my story

I have never been satisfied with little
I'd take and take, never give, never settle
My hands were strong, my will was stronger
I'd look you in the eye, I'd last longer

I stood tall among the very best
I'd talk and talk, I'd beat my chest
No one could terrify or threaten my power
If I dared those who tried, they'd cower

It took much less than what I'd expect
To beat down my will, to make me subject
You looked me in the eye, it didn't last long
My heart yearned, it wanted your song

When I look back at how far I've travelled
How the hardness in me has unravelled
How much I feel joyful and grateful
The only change I see is You

You must begin early
while it is cool and your head clear
discernment, a sharpened tine
probing the rocky darkness
for all things latent and destructive.

Be aware that the velvet sage
of the leaves belies their power
to take over every space, remember
roots burrow deep, anchoring in
fissures we don’t even know exist.

You must delve as close
to the origin as possible
or the **** you think eradicated
will bide its time, germinating
in the still secret ground

waiting for light
to penetrate the moist earth
waking the sprout
who voraciously pushes up and out
a curled blemish

in your otherwise carefully tended garden.

My heart feels old today
it rattles like a stone in a can.
My eyes feel cold today
as they strain for gems in a prospector's pan.
My feet feel heavy today
trudging the ruts I've created time and again.
My thoughts feel tired today
they eloped with all hope and ran.