Du Mal

Asleep, awake, pain brought light.  Can’t 

Move or call for help.  Afraid.  Four 

Years old again, falling off my 

Cousin’s scooter, searing shear of 

Collar bone, breath barely, or not

At all.  I catch a glimpse, just so,

Of paralysis.  Fears hum and 

Resound at various pitches,

Can’t or don’t stick to harmony,

Speak in tongues, all mine, renounce none.

Silent noise, desert rainstorm, light 

Darkness, today’s tomorrow, stone

Never.  Distance reveals how much 

You imbibe, more mirror than I. 

You’d do anything, asked if I 

Understood.  Things turn out when we 

Push so hard parts begin to mesh.