Through shuttered windows
I can glimpse her beauty
She’s surrounded by a haze of light
The grace she expresses glows
We all wonder at her strength
To hold herself up
Alone
Every night
Just for us
Watching over us
Silently sleeping in her wake.
These late night conversations are brief
But I whisper to her
Secret sentences
She’s longed to hear
Since the beginning of time.
“You are appreciated, even in our slumber.
Thank you for letting us rest.”
And through the shutters
She smiles.
A fork in the road
_____________________
One beaten by low blows to myself
That showed me second choices
Aren’t that bad
When you can teach
The future
Even if you end up
Used, not working,
And without experience
Except pleasing your audience of one.
_____________________
The other path has sunlight streaming
Through forested windows
In trees as tall as my hopes-
The future
I always dreamed I’d have
Of big cities
And even bigger success
Lies at the end of the path
A prize to be taken
For taking myself seriously.
_____________________
And yet,
I’d still rather take the path
Filled with second chances.