the last long way down

road after road has been
hard on my feet.

long stretches of slim shoulders
that fell off into ravines.
falling rocks. rumble of thunderstorms
miles away but not far enough off to disregard,
frequent flooding,
and no overhangs beneath which to shelter.

most steps felt like staggers
and most of those felt like sins.

but i’m sitting now above a valley
that looks like it might slope
more gently down. i see smoke over there
by a silver oxbow.

there is such an urge to tuck my head
and roll breakneck down into
that place. i need that peace
so quickly and there are so many things
i need to say to whoever’s down there.

and god, my butchered feet hurt so much
i am bleeding into my chest.

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