The Big Adventure (Poetry)

I had Africa in mind but you came along —
the ultimate diversion sign —
a safer route?
Almost three decades on, I’m squinting back
to see where I went wrong.

It would have been a trek — the big
adventure I could have talked about —
I imagine dusty plains — the distant snow
unlikely contrast to the heat —
and sometimes wistful I still dream
of Kilimanjaro.

I took the road to Motherhood —
the journey of my days
mapped out in temperate zones —
and found myself a stranger there
travelling tired — alone.

As things turned out
it was the long way round and full
of dangers lurking — never thought of at the start.
The slyness growing in you —
your predatory heart —
you became the lion that ate me slowly —
left a pile of bones
beside the road.