By Misti Lake
Date: 19 January 2001
Moments of Clarity
in rare moments of clarity
I get it
I feel it
and I know it's timeless and true
and more precious than any Academy Award
or glittering compliment from a smiling stranger
it's revealed to me
by an old couple entering McDonald's
she's stooped over
fragile
and he's holding
her arm
protective
we said our vows in front of our family
in the cold wind at sunset
and it hasn't even been a month
but already
you have proven a century of love
but in cloudy moments of too much Tecate with lime and salt
and tears dredged up from a deep well
I can't tell you why I want to run and hide
and live the old life
of cheapness and escape
life has raped me
bad luck has scraped the glitter off
bad decisions have shaped me into the flawed
faltering woman
you try to reach
with your tender, merciful love
I will get well
for you
for I know your love
transcends
the sickness.
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