Reid@YWP

Tik Tik Tik Tik:

never stopping angry quiet 

Tok Tok Tok Tok:

ink on paper nonsense words

Tik Tik Tik Tik:

lips are moving saying nothing

in the beam of headlights

a flash of motion darts across dark asphalt.

brakes slam,

a breath catches in the throat. 

and the stillness of a stopped car 

        The Fisherman and I walked on. My feet ached like they did when he found me. When he found me, I could no longer remember if I had run away or was chased out.

We lie in bed  with our arms around ourselves, 

cradling the mangled bodies of children

 who had the stars squeezed out of their eyes so that, still shining, they fell 

Will we ever stop

Forming gaps for young children to fall through,

Teetering on the edge–          –swinging their legs. 

When you’re gone I’ll think of every missed call

I’ll summon your sunny warmth and laughter

Without you, who will catch me if I fall?

Your stars always kept night lit long after