A Crossing

downward glance
upon glassy water
stopped, clear
green plants and murky brown chocolate
mud settled
a landscape of unmoving certainty

bottom so close
yet
concealing many feet
between solid ground
and the weightlessness of a perch
above the still water

stuck
motionless
walk this bridge
for once covering
this face
no distinction between rapids and
calm
faithless walk
the drowning will
commence

Windbreaker

Back from the forest
gray bark, shadowed paths
returned to the back door
slipping in unheard for just
a moment

now and then
at once
on the edge of seen

but unseen
awareness of wounds
and
weariness
impossible
improbable
unattempted

pulling off wet jacket
sodden and cold
rubbing numb fingers
waiting
dropping to the floor
lightly

she hears the thud
but only she
with open ears
wishful thoughts
can tell

It has fallen
to the linoleum
later
someone would wonder
why she'd left it
behind


an imprint unwanted
a reminder of
protection lost
proof of
unbidden
unease
a hidden
demise
wrapped in
unraveling fabric