5/Aug

Soft aches seep

through my soles

on this arduous walk

growing up my calves 

a vine of throbbing, 

cold dullness

gnaws at my being

the pebbles wear me

more than sudden splinters

I stop short of

abominable thoughts

I think instead of lakes,

streams, valleys

conjure up all imaginable beauty

does it help? the apparitions taunt me

I don’t know

it’s like playing a glorious song

to the hungry

not fed

not quite the antidote

a semblance of escape nevertheless