“her”
By: John C. Layton

There is a noble fierceness in her eyes.

From turbulent blue orbs with obsidian cores

Comes a solid gaze seizing within its surface

The reflection of a surrendered audience.

Her stare conveys a thousand miles walked

Within a foreign forest.

Whose distant spires reach, reveal

A shared direction upon separate soil to similar skies.

Their clamoring leaves joining in jocund applause

For this paradoxical union hosted in the heavens.

Though her laughter shows a happy heart,

It is her words that carve a better window.

Literature and life, images and archetypes linger on her lips.
Wisdom cloaked in humble attire,
Wonder held with deepest gladness,

And desire bridled with vibrant affirmations.
Her fellowship surrounds a sacred fire

Where hands and hearts are warmed

By truth and understanding --------- and joy.

Where smiles and nods exhibit an invisible embrace.
Yet hardships will fade such embers of delight

And leave a longing to be stirred again.

Consolation comes in a confident glance

That reminds the heart what will remain

For everlasting spirits that meet and go forever on.
Beyond long walk and the crossing of this life,

When private rendezvous are a mere remembrance,
Rooted paths will be traveled again.

The conversation will continue,

For this unity is sealed with a burning love

And set with the noble fierceness in our eyes.


The End.

I've spent more time
than usual lately
thinking about friends
who became strangers
and I feel a mix of
sadness and anger
when I let myself go
and forget that
we are all in a perpetual
state of flux
and the space we occupy is
only as temporary
as the nights we spent together laying
on blankets under the stars
and hiding out in your mom's car
that you finally got to borrow since your
sister was out of town for the weekends
and I always am too busy mourning
my newfound stranger group
that I never remember to
remember those to whom
I became a stranger for some reason
or another
as there is no emotional profit
in counting those you've left
only those who left you
matter
in this great wheel
of organic existence

i am a chess piece faking my way through a checkers board
running on an empty tank- go go go
fast!
Quick! here's a myth-
the asthmatic boy meets a girl burning up!
Both survive!
how do you say no thanks? no thanks!
your words are harsh red lines and they stab me and make me bleed.
stop asking me the same question.
i heard you the first time.
i did not want to answer.
the world is painstakingly dizzying and hopelessly loud.
Leave Me Alone