Asides

One cannot travel through life devoid of scars.

Each nightly ritual reminds of stories past as you

Sluice away at the open wounds of the day.

I trace a silver line on the curve of my foot,

Conjuring up memories of hurried feet along train tracks,

The shortcut to home. Furtively listening for the train whistle

That would squeal on us, my brother and I hastened home.

In my haste, I stumbled on a broken beer bottle, flung negligently.

The gash was deep, he tore his shirt in strips and bound me safe.

I hobbled home. We laughed. My brother gave me the shirt off his back.

I retrace the silver line fondly.

On the commute home today

I marveled at the stream of life,

Boxed in vehicles, inching along the weary road to home.

Foggy tendrils embraced the waning beams of setting sun,

Reflecting in our eyes, the remains of the day.

I

I miss many things in winter.

I miss most of all using the word “bloom”.

Flowers bloom.

Then I remember.

Friendships bloom.

Fortunately, they are not seasonal.

Carpe Diem’s 2nd episode of the “Use that Quote” Challenge.  The goal is to write a haiku, senryu, tanka or kyoka inspired on a given quote.

Today’s quote: “Forget not that the Earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” ~~ Khalil Gibran

My Bare feet patter

Playfully scuffing the earth

Wind sifting through toes

I grasp in my hands
For a pithy time,
The essence of eternal bliss.

The question comes,
I rue the night,
How can I not exist?

Dare I let it slip away?
I wring my hands
Bewitched.

Will decisions of the here and now
All other regrets
Eclipse?

I clasp my hands, I meditate
On entering time,
Endless.