Before Starting Again (+1)

I took two months off,

all words in remiss

I took two months off,

putting nothing at risk

I took two months off,

your voice—a deaf ear

I took two months off,

without holding you near

I took two months off,

death breathing inside

I took two months off,

from memory to hide

I took two months off,

you waited in pain

I took two months off

—before starting again

(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2017)

What Happens Now

I died somewhere in between

the dream and the wake up call

Wondering which side had turned

me in

Wondering which side had shut

me out

Wondering in the darkness

—what happens now

(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2017)