Distance

grey unseeing eyes-
where do you go when you’re gone
far away from here
–
fields of lavender-
safe spaces
inside her head

butterflies flutter-
goldenrod grows along side
lines of split rail fence
–
the feed wagon-
cattle gather
along the fences

a dank feeble breeze-
the rumble of the el train
passing my window
–
distant sirens-
my room awash
in a neon glow

starting my journey-
leaving this city behind
for greener pastures
–
piles of stone-
a farmers wall
soon to be built

ashen metal sky-
slowly rolling cattle cars
descend into hell
–
chain link fence-
the walking dead
in black and white

verdant sunlight-
hillsides dappled by the shade
from the passing clouds
–
sea foam-
emerald hills
flecked with sheep

walking from the train
a soft rain begins to wash
off the day’s burdens
–
eyes closed-
rocked to sleep
among strangers

telling ghost stories-
embers on the rising smoke
mixing with the stars
–
distant howls-
another log
feeds the fire

sedona night skies-
a desert scorpion crawls
across my bedroll
–
campfire-
embers rise to greet
the desert stars

a whole life reduced
to two dust covered and scuffed
satchels by her feet
–
cold desert night-
the tent offers
poor respite