Avoided, Averted

This was published in the fall 2008 edition of Yellow Medicine Review. It's a very early poem - thought I'd put it out there. Again.

Avoided, Averted

Somewhere between St Augustine

and Nunavut

Someone created a policy

of Fear.

Somewhere in the hallowed halls of our history

is a room made for undesirable things.

behind mahogany doors

teak tea carts, folded table cloths

and discussions on another Indian Summer -

The remains of our lives lie still

Wrapped in the event horizon

of side glances

averted gazes

and ellipses not of our making.

Nestled deep in these cities

lay pockets of fear and worry

cradled in a nest of infinite density …

Tip toe past

Breathe lightly

Do not disturb the dividing line -

Of undesirable things

Place all your fears,

All your weapons

Place all your waste,

regrets and hesitations

On the other side.

Reserve a place for these things

Keep them with us

Maintain a steady stream

of your fears –

circling around in perpetual accretion

And as the candescence of ignited waste

Lights this world –

We will reveal your reflection to you