returning


it’s strange to be back
and to be gone.
the sunlight still holds me although 
it doesn’t whisper the way it used to
breathing softly against my ear 
the promise of always
until that too falls apart.
the rain falls, that's forever. and forever
i will worship the way it floods away the pain
but now it no longer loves me in return. 
my voice still echoes
the ground knows my feet
but my footsteps don’t fall like they used to. 
sometimes i feel the wind beyond the doorway
it taunts me until even my thoughts aren't real.
everyone knows once your fingertips brush the stars
they no longer settle for darkness. 
they tell me today is today
but tomorrow will probably be the same. 
only the memories will remain,
watching over us 
until all the moments fade together
and maybe everything is a little bit normal. 
 

Anna

VT

YWP Alumni

More by Anna

  • when you took the stars for granted

    when you were 11
    your science teacher taught you about the stars. 
    he pointed to the sky
    and told you it takes thousands of years
    for the light to reach the earth
    so the stars you see are probably already gone. 
  • A thank you to the world

    thank you
    for bringing us mornings that taste like leftovers and sound
    like last night's debate replaying on TV.
    thank you
    for giving us the song of the radio:
    politics and pollution
    promises and lies. 
    thank you 
  • returning


    it’s strange to be back
    and to be gone.
    the sunlight still holds me although 
    it doesn’t whisper the way it used to
    breathing softly against my ear 
    the promise of always
    until that too falls apart.