one more dream

set the scene: the end

of the line. the path that

winds to a close, twists into

itself like it chokes on its

own secrets. two roads

diverged under wilting pines

that lead off the same cliff.

the bones beneath spread

out like spilled water and

children skip stones across

the ribs anyway, like they

can't tell the difference

between a shove and an

embrace. my fingers ache

to touch the crest of a

mountain and the itch

persists, it moves through

me, my words leaving a dry

mouth already cauterized

by dead, dying coals.

admitting it tastes like

freedom and it is the

lightest thing i have held

since urgency. these

eyes are deep. the wolves

shrink from the unfamiliar

depths. hymns are sung,

notes heavy with dust,

gravitational, trailing my

footsteps as i keep walking

for the last time. in another

life, two steps mark the

beginning of one more dream.

in this life, the remnants

are mine to bury beneath

my city's concrete bed

and i, i am the core of

the earth. nobody owns me.