A Long Long Way Down (Poetry)

I didn’t know the way but gravity
took care of it. Someone
had already made a map —
roughed out in a hurry —
done in passing —
just an outline with some features —
points of reference
that just might prove
to have a shared significance
as though recognition could somehow
turn out to be
some small comfort.

Like scars on an old landscape
the well-remembered wounds
ache — sentimental
as old loves songs —
those simple lyrics burned
into a time
when flesh and grass
and memory
still grew
and all seemed infinitely possible —
shiny-bright with promise
words ringing
true.

Years passed and age wore down
the contours of all meaning —
edges blurred
but the horizon stayed the same —
always out of reach
I never came upon a place
that offered me
all my spirit craved
but I kept going — hoping for
some revelation —
some quiet spot
where I could settle
and feel safe —
content to be...

The path got steeper —
wound uphill —
those rocky slopes where nothing grows —
no hope for flowers —
all is bare
and then the ground itself
gave way
so I am falling like a leaf
the tree no longer
wants to own.

What now?
I have nothing but the air
that I was born with —
no certainties
except to know
I’m not the first
to tumble into nothing — see
initials carved in clouds
the shape of floating hearts.