Where Now

 

before if ever the return

there is the leaving

the backward glances

clamoring doubt of

 

what should have been 

the steady drumbeat

what could could not possibly be 

 

a heart emptied in the churning burn

 

a voice strained to the point of breaking 

 

broken then innocence broken

 

the startling hard knock on

the hollow door 

 of these

placeless

separations

 

 

JPPestana

Where Now

2.19.2022