Two Poems for the Leaving

The Doorstep

The doorstep never so sweet as when I’m walking past it

The light never so subtle

Old annoyances, rusty sponges, windows don’t quite close

Charming. Elegant, comfortable.

All that I want is to lie in bed

Curled against the heat

my steady breathing animal

See the sadness in his eyes.

Does he feel my crusty, acid-like resistance?

Venerable disgust

for what I’m about to do

To rip myself away

From a thing so wonderful…

A betrayal even I could likely never forgive.

And then, always,

the morning that I’m set to take the road

All the world will shine brightly

Every dew drop smiling

And the sweetness of the parting

will not quite hurt so bad

As soon as I’m actually out the door

I’m one moment closer

to coming back through it

To leave and leave again

I must also keep returning.

As high as the tree reaches,

so deep they spread their roots.

As much sky each finger touches

So deeply each foot holds.

Shipping

I gather my things, clear out the dust

And wonder what makes a good leaving

If the difference between a tragedy and a hero's journey

Is how the characters feel about it afterwards

What story am I stepping into?

Which way will my essence be pulled?

Late night realizations of essential tools

Make heroes out of two day shipping

Send me back with such expediency

Should I go astray