Brief Respite

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BRIEF RESPITE


It’s where the rose is reddest that

            the walker stays his steps, intent

to rest his feet beside the stream

            if only for a bit. And can we blame 

the walker for revealing his human-

            ity, his need for periodic succor on

the dusty path? Observe his fingers


loosening the dusty straps. Observe

            the swollen flesh beneath, the welts

as latent testimony to his weariness. 

            Observe now the snake well-hidden     

in the reeds, the naked spot along 

            the heel as he drifts away to dream

of battles which he fights head-on.


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