walking slowly on a concrete path, sandy strip, grassy hill
we make our way... push on...  soon enough until
a spot is reached, a need is met,
lofty places, joy-filled or with regret

little girls amusingly play and slip and slide
dancing ladies, fervent smiles and eyes filled wide
are you looking for me in that slow adroit glance?
do you know what you've found with your stance?

deliberate sure... imbibed with glee
pages turned, doors shut, where do you have to be?
flowers bloom and tears dry
how far you go, and where to, we wonder why

early on it was simpler, no trust needed or fear
consequences now fall free and come so very near
when I was told not to go or where and when
I shudder to think, how I feel now and how I did then

songs singing blunted behind the door
friends how they shine in the night's allure
raspy voices filled with lateness and talk
stumbling, rumbling away as slowly they walk