Originally ‘Freebird’ | November 2024

She awoke and reached out for the morning embrace;
her brow bone grew wrinkled, not spotting his face.
The sheets were smoothed neatly,
coffee brewed strong, just black.

He put the pack upon his shoulders
to begin a journey.
He’d never be back.
Enamored by potential,
and driven by grief.
On the dirt road with beetles -
creamed corn and beef.

The ground barely shook,
as he climbed up hillside.
It’d rain, sleet and thunder -
He maintained his stride.
Until she crossed his path,
destination less clear,
and you could bet all your fortune
he stayed for a year.

She taught him of tea tree,
the joy in a tithe,
and he grew a new glisten in his once down turned eyes.

On the wrong side
of a small, disheveled bed;
what was actually the right,
he grew again fearful,
and left in the night.

She awoke and reached out for the morning embrace;
her brow bone grew wrinkled, not spotting his face.
The sheets were smoothed neatly,
coffee brewed just the same,
but she started using creamer
and choked on his name.