The Return
Falling apart
a little
at a time
until
there’s nothing
but dust
on the ground
left
to show
we were here
at all
and even that
is then gone
writing activity
Gideon’s Challenge – The Turning Point
The Turning Point
Four miles
marked
with a stump
is as far
as I go
today
though the trail
moves on
deeper
into the trees
and I long
to follow
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Patched Up
Patched Up
Sometimes
feeling
pieced
together
by one’s scars
is the only
thing
keeping
everything
from
falling apart
at the seams
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Persnickety
Persnickety
Out of sorts
and prickly
with snark
enough for days
self restraint
is tested in a
myriad of ways
as I fight to keep
my mouth shut
cuz it’s not a
pressure valve
and remind myself
that my words
will make things
worse
all around
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Make Believe
Make Believe
Up at dawn
and off to work
no one sees
the inside hurt
the quiet cries
and the
bleeding wounds
that hide
behind
a friendly grin
as I pretend
I’m not aching
for an end
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge – Nineteen
Nineteen
“You aren’t
nineteen anymore.”
The words hit
like a bowling ball
in the gut
and I’m not
sure why
when this fact
has been true
for well over
a decade
at this point
and my mind says,
“So what?”
while by body says,
“Exactly right.”
Twisting the Leaf 