Buyer Beware

Buyer Beware            8/18/2015

Perhaps she was right

That I was too sentimental

Fiercely loyal to everything

Beyond all reason and sense.

And maybe, she was also right

That my opinions were unrealistic

As I ruminated on routine injustice

And ordinary insults

Over and over again. 

All of that is gone

Washed away down the river

A part of me lost

And gone forever. 

But he who remains

Still looks backwards

Hung up on the rocks

And struggling to stand. 

River rocks are smooth

And slippery

Covered with slime

Worn, green, and cold. 

Wet and Wasted  

Sweaty and tired

My skin like salt

White and puckered.

I spent my last money

Getting drunk on the way

Because who can sell their mothers diamonds

Painlessly sober.

Pinning me to the rocks
And squeezing out my breath
The small horrors of betrayal
And foolish men.

It will take more than a river

To make me forget

But either way

We all must cross  

To know who we are. 

I broke my stick

So I could not steer

Flowing ever downwards

Powerless and sad.

Bruised and stuck

I had to ask for help

Swallowing my pride

For what it seemed like forever. 

Today is quiet 

And we glide

Under a canopy of trees

Protected for a moment

By a seven shades of green.

It is easy to speak

But it is hard to listen

As we travel in the eddies

Meandering to nowhere.

It was never about me

Because it was all about them

As I imagined a life

That was never mine to know. 

I might lose again

But we have all  lost before

So I extend my hand outwards

And hope I am not alone.

I shall come again

And ride down the streams

Faster and faster

Through the frothy white.

Let the water

Spray my hot head

Giving me the gift

Beautiful and free. 

I have learned

So now I let it be

More than enough

Until we meet again.