Solitude’s handshake grips tightly
The hint of salt on my lips reminds me of yesterday’s cringe
Small meaningless moments, for them, not for me
Replayed thoughts caught in a loop, round and round, they continue to turn
Unseen ravens, perched upon my shoulder
Aimless walks, through canyons of speculation and made up truths
Unable to find protection from the rain, alpacas falling from the sky
I put on my headphones, hoping to stop the world
Brisk chill against cloudless blue skies
Warmth inside layered coats
Steam rising from hot coffee cups
Mixing with plumes of breath leaving cold lips
A welcome to winter’s return
Apricot colored rose pedals, hidden among fallen leaves
Staring at red walls, losing count of bricks, only to begin again
The sound of fountain water, finding freedom, whistling in the air
A sleeping shadow, slowly places an arm around my shoulder as the sun’s arc begins it’s descent
Searching for answers, a wise man’s eyes, watches and waits
Footprints in the sand, erased by the incoming tide, my walk continues without a guiding hand
A mosaic of random moments, pieces perfectly fit together, viewed from a distance, a portrait of me
Morning sun in old neighborhoods
Change and familiarity sit close by, a reaquaintance
Voices overheard, at one time mine, now new faces
Walking backward, clocks moving in opposite directions
The feeling of home still exists
Longing to relive those days once more
Cowboy Junkies’ melodies
Melancholy’s warm breath felt
Drifting there and back
Some places were meant to return to
A torn piece, for safe keeping
My breast pocket, it hides
Close to me, it always stays
A needed place to return to
When the here and now seems out of place
Crows take flight
From unzipped chests
Muted claws causing the most damage
Unheard echoes remain, ricocheting inside
As tail feathers disappear in the distance
Midnight chill
A breath on a window
Scrawled messages that disappear before my eyes
Falling raindrops
Wash away left over remnants
A little piece of me left behind
Pitted stomachs
Causing involuntary sighs
This feeling wont last forever
Yet in the moment
There is no relief nor consolation
Just the thought of wanting tomorrow to pass
And a quiet moment to catch my breath
Ashen feet, walking through door frames
Searching for box cars, leading elsewhere
Rear view mirrors tucked away, just for now
Waiting for heaven and dreams to collide
Rooftop confessions, good only at midnight
Burning lungs, with each breath
Voices of the past return as echoes
Only heard when alone
Leaving behind, walking forward
Burdens, left by the roadside
Tattooed moments etched inside of me
Never to be erased, everywhere I go
Chipped paint on weathered signs
A reminder of abandoned houses filled with yesterday’s voices
An aged man softly runs his fingers across his cheek
Searching for memories that were once there
Black birds fly overhead, singing soft lullabies
Waiting for falling eyelids and the sound of deep breaths
Sleep never comes easily
Even when darkness sits at the doorstep
Rustling trees heard through closed windows
Falling leaves find small whirlwinds
A dance with forgiveness
Searching for peace to let slumber in
Mat Aru Poetry 