we inched our way through trails
in grass, unmarked pathways, weeds
smudged into dirt by unyielding soles
and untied shoelaces
step by dusty step, displacing
rocks and hectic ants and termites,
sweat and sorrow dripping
down inexperienced cheeks.
we wandered on and in
our dazed and careless wake
malnourished trees gorged on
tattered remnants of the sun
humbling our brooding sighs
leaving us to dwell in shaded, muted air
sinking weightlessly into darkness.
the puppeteer of fate craned our
drooping necks upward and,
in the softness of the sky,
we found truth inside the glow
of tiny specks of mayhem.
opening our worn eyes wider,
we wept a gentle plea to the stars,
to bring their light
a little closer.