Remembrance

The creaking of an attic’s chest which contains the stories of a previous life hidden as dusty almanacs. Rummaging hands find leather covers – life to the memories forgotten. Camping near the lake with the adolescent, discovering myself as I discover others. Tents with cloth as thin as skin tightly stretched across metal bones, inhabit the forest. A place to sleep among quiet heart beatings. Susan outlined against the campfire Breasts hard lumps, hips gaunt, hair kinky. Her face frightened, startled, fearful -- fascinated. I fade into solid night to hide my shame. Stories are told when warmly enclosed, tethering my imaginations to the moon. I no longer fear the dark, but find it comforting. I surrender my head to a magnificent world. while crickets instrumentalize forthcoming sleep. Close this box and hide the pages that must be forgotten to embrace the present: Bright light and grimy windows seeping air into the void of my mind. Locking ribs together, closing off my beating heart. Keeping me alive.