Barefoot
you can bury
the day
burn the map
empty all your pockets
inside out
put on a different coat
hat
and cut your hair
to there
then grow it back
put on pounds
and take ‘em off
run around
hit the brake
sit way down
cut the light
the switch
open a door
shut it
slam it
behind
shop around
try on every shoe
sole
and wear ‘em out
across the street
up the bank
down the trail
through the gate
around the corner
the circle
past the trees
the brush
the crows are cawing
a shadow forms
fills
and falls
like hot tears
against a cold cheek
heavy-laden
into a box
a black box
nobody opens
the perfect petals
each stem
strand
turned to ash
the wind scatters
like a hand-full of stars
on a frozen night
beyond touch
or reason
or wishes
and it’s too bad
they don’t make a pair
for that
for that long
long walk home
TL