West and East

I travelled west and east
on foot
for decades
valleys, plains, mountains
villages, towns, cities

I brought you gifts
I went without to buy you these gifts
I faced danger to find you these gifts
I laid them at your feet

but you looked away
you scarcely bothered to hide your contempt
you reached for the chains and shackles


~ ~ ~


The elite let their children walk this path
with their straight backs and curly hair
it begins, middles and ends from right to left
a little obscure at the start

I could study their collections
pinned butterflies
arrows in wings and heart


~ ~ ~


Present Tense

You work best for me as a distraction
Something, that when I'm otherwise engaged,
woos my attention
If I try to find you
it gets so
trying



~ ~ ~