Walk On by Vicki Ferrara

Walk On

The gate is open

whispering your name,

a breathy sound,

listen to the fizzle

in the blank gray sky

and walk on;

Take the step,

drop the staples from your mouth,

the fence dissolves,

the path is pulling you gently,

your eyes closed,

no need to see -

god awaits

not death

god.

Walk on.

You hurt

mourn

wonder

question

feel

dread

expect

want

do not want -

Each barb and hook

is no threat,

the power is off

the points softened,

you are spooned,

spoon fed,

the gate is open

walk on,

your name is called,

there was never silence,

never nothing,

never the unholy physical -

the fear noise quiets

to the mondo -

can you move

yes

the first breath

is the last breath

walk on