Departure
Once upon a time, I know I had a plan.
Going to come back, finish the conversation.
Keep all of the promises,
About how it all connected and why
There was so much there
To dream.
Overwhelming really, even takes the breath away,
Freefalling, I let it subside, and the memories fade;
Lake and Oceanside conversations,
Moments to say
I would never forget or let go.
And I knew I would never come back
So I pretend that I never want to leave.
But I do.
And the coast disappears
And you did as well.
Hidden underneath the fog,
Hiding everything;
The mist came in and set us
Right, and put us all
To sleep.
The trains roll,
And the sirens roar,
Through the morning city;
Urban rooster, setting everything to
Go, and it’s a
Long day ahead.
Relaxed, just
Concentrating on breath.
I leave, I know.
This is what I do.
No permanence,
Or stake to claim or defend.
Just life and the road,
And everyone in between it.
Falling in love in the great cities.
But not all.
Not yet.
Respite
Once I drank
One thousand dollars
In a month.
Bit of beer
And lots of whiskey.
Just to talk myself
to sleep
At night.
And if you’ve been awake
As long as I have
I think you would’ve spent
One thousand-
One.
I enjoyed reading these poems by Justice. Their direct address brings me close to the ‘I’ and the slight, wry-dark ending of “Respite” sort of pushes me back away, in a move that wakes me up.