plain
i had hope. i thought it could happen.
a sapling ripped out of the ground.
every tree i try to grow ends in infanticide.
instead of branches reaching for the sun
roots stretch to the ends of their lives.
how to discover if the soil is fertile?
leaves to defend against drops of rain.
limbs to climb to see the sun.
trunk to lie against for needed rest.
dreams to defy what i know as truth.
life on this barren plain.
my horizon is forest.
i’ve been walking forever
in one direction.
the horizon is burned into my retinae
and carved static inside my mind.
just like standing still.
without peace from unmotion.
with nowhere to be going.
… at least i am standing, still?
for what reason?
-8/25/99, 6:50-7:05 am