Off the Beaten Track
by Sher Christian
The train of habit follows a predictable
path,
clack clack down the track,
weaving in and out of tunnels,
limited by the rails, unless the train derails.
My instincts scream at me, “Leap from the train!”
“
Yes!” I answer, as I tremble,
pause a moment to refrain.
Then I jump, tumble down the hill,
open, relax into the thrill.
I do want to know life, hold it in my belly,
run with it laughing before I am gone,
only vapor that spirals, whispers on the wind.
I yearn to speak, let words flow
like bubbles from a soapy wand,
capture them before they burst.
I long to sing my heart’s beaming.
Shadows fall behind, as I face the sun.
The dark can wait for the sun to sleep,
when I awake at fear’s touch and cry,
“
Why do we die?”
My mind runs from fear of blackness
that devours my self.
Angels, keep me, save me from the night.
Take away the fright that pumps in my veins,
sears my heart when I try to sleep.
I’m weary from weeping.
How can heat be blue?
I fear I’m wrong, worthless at my core.
God, please rout the doubt that fills my cells.
All is well. It is. It is.
I hope.
I love me, believe in my life fulfilled.
I will sign giant checks for wondrous things
and sad people who then would be happy,
for a time.
I’ll buy a house perched on a cliff above the sea.
Far below, the surf will meet the rocks
in sprays of celebration,
while I write poems that dance along the bluffs
and skid across the waves
before they’re snatched by screeching gulls.
Then I’ll fly with words as wings.
Though my feathers quake at the edge of change,
I declare and dare.
I am ready to fly!
Sher Christian, Star
Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry.
530 277-0147 e-mail: raindance@nccn.net
