a box full of darkness
    ~ Mary Oliver

Someone I loved once gave me
a box full of darkness

It took me years to understand
that this too,  was a gift

I shed a tear for you yesterday
as I recall when I walked past you,
I saw you needed something
but too scared to ask
maybe because of the way
the world treated you
or by how I looked confident and
happy
you have adapted to the coarse
settings you sit in that I nearly
did not see you
my partner dropped a dollar and I never
seen a face lit so bright
and I felt a strong guilt within me because
you are so content with such a simple gift
and whole my life I wanted more
I just want to say that I do hope you a fine
wherever you are and inspire others as well
to be thankful with what they have

You’re desperately lost,
writing your way into the madness

Each word a false beacon,
your hopes to decry

You’re desperately lost,
searching the caves of your memory

Delusion the caretaker,
your verses to lie

You’re desperately lost,
as every voice now deserts you

Time running backwards,
the heat turned up high

You’re desperately lost,
as the Sirens misguide you

The torch of the demon
—burning darkly inside

(Dreamsleep: February, 2020)