By Misti Velvet Rainwater
Date: 17 August 2000

We Drove to the Edge

we drove to the edge of the forest
and parked the car and sat there
watching the fireflies
holding hands
enjoying the stillness
and the noises
of the night

I was weary from crying and trying to climb
out of the abyss
I was thinking of life and how it gets away from
you and makes you ache
for your mother and the tears she had to suppress
so that she could clothe and feed you and give you money
at the mall so that you could buy Fat Albert books

death was buzzing around inside my head
once again I was reminded of bittersweet brevity
and the futility of making longterm plans
because truly we never really know

you showed me your loyalty
and love as I rested my head
on your shoulder
and you soothed me with tender vows

then as we drove away you talked about
getting lost in the woods
and I said,"If only people realized the solution is
so simple...never walk through the woods without dozens
of different colored ribbons to tie to the branches."

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