broken lines
in my palm
I conceal

show my path
lay out boundaries

but,

I join the lines.

no cobbled stones
no ****** swords
just a bruised fist
a barrel of ale
and I'll set off home alone
leather boots
a winter sweater
to ward off the chill
that settles
I have no place
for remorse or sorrow
I have a life to build

It start in my ear
leading to a shuffle
of my thighs
the sudden focus
of that one touch
centered
pinpoint precision
and the rush
which spreads across my body
in shivers that break out a sweat
cold and hot
fire and chills

the aftermath is only
the lingering sensation
while sounds return
to thumping of my heart

nothing compares to the rise
the mighty rise
of something as potent
as coming alive

collected flyer miles
for 27 years of
to and fro
from distant places
and the many faces
who sat by me
during the journey

memories remain collected
the smiles, gestures and hugs
all together in one coupon
ready to be redeemed

I'll be moving on now
away from the small world
to see to places, new faces
into the unknown.

give me a memory,
any memory,
where you are happy,
and it can mask,
the worst thing ever said,
the meanest thing ever done,
the crudest thing you ever saw
and I'll not write anymore.

my knees have grown
a little brittle,
my feet,
a little worn,
my elbows hurt
from tucking them in
tight,
my neck hurts
from not holding it
right,
my shoulders ache
for the burden,
is sometimes just too great
my heart is weary
and often
forlorn,
my soul is silent
I think it too
feels that,
it can't bear anymore.

Like ghosts they haunt,
silent but present,
eerily felt
strongly sensed
when remembered

the words, gestures
come rushing back
hazy faces
cold places

you think
you've left it behind
walked forward
have let it go

to only know
one blink is all it takes
one tear the only witness
one moment to completely shatter
to be afraid

you've made a mistake.