I believe it to be
an impasse we have become
the segway between
two paths that
end up in the
same place

feel the sand
the crunch
the curl and
hauling arms
that cling tightly
to your chilled
skin

withdraw yourself
from the segway
of your own creation

there are
other ways
to walk

do not
remove
your shoes

keep walking

whisper, whisper
is that the wind in my hair
is that your fingers tracing my scalp
are you holding me now
whisper, whisper
are you sweet
sweet as nothings
sweet sugar achy teeth
do you smell the rot beneath the sweetness
the nectar that dips low on the neck
of your heart

of the vest
you wear
so well

do not remove your shoes
do not let your feet touch dew
do not feel the goosebumps
do not feel it

keep walking

whisper, whisper
nudge, nudge
they know now
their eyes betray them
they gleam like pristine canines
a howling dislocated jaw to
let the water flood in the chest

breathe
deep
breathe

keep walking

keep your eyes straight
as a ruler
as flat as the evening sky
the orange is folded in half
it is shackled on your
hair raised biceps

you bleed orange now

it is beautiful
not scary
you are not scared any longer

keep walking

courage girl
hold your head high
tilt your neck up
it is not submission
it is not fear to show your neck
you are courage girl
you are fiery
you are sparkling
listen to the whisper that
sounds so loud in your ears

keep walking

one day you will get there