head west, heart east
head out, don’t leave
the crowning of things to come
the pains of a new labor, clutching
screams and wails in tandem harmony
fresh and alive and alone and scared
new lives seeking new life
born into desperation, answerless
ask more, answer less
fault and guilt lurk in shadows
head west, heart east
new legs, first steps, holding tight to walls
walls we built around ourselves
let go, flat ground, round earth, flat feet
step
       step
               step
breathe fresh air, speak new words
head west, heart east.