The Poetry Marathon

There’s a creek

That runs through the middle of town

They say if you drink from it

You will be healed

But all I ever got

Were half-filled promises

And a feeling of regret

I still walk down to the creek

To dip my cupped hands

And bring them to my lips

I recall your gentleness

My hand in your mouth

My head on your belly

I recall your spark

But also your softness

Given with sleepy eyes

And a pleasant rumble

I recall your wildness

Running in the rain

Loving you and letting you go

You are a system

Made of millions of pieces

Working toward harmony

For no reason at all

How amazing it is

That every line written

Every word sung

Every figure drawn

Is the product of firing synapses

And the movement of molecules

I wish I knew the name

Of the tree that shaped my youth

With her soft, crumbling bark

And long, strong branches

Leading me up, up, up

Like stairs of an ivory tower

Escaping into her arms

With never any fear for my safety

I knew she loved me

And would never let me fall

It’s never been within myself

That I could find freedom

Tethered to the ground

I ache to find my hands

Grasping for well-worn holds

Hello! My name is Cali, and this is my first time participating in the poetry marathon! I am usually a long-form fiction writer, but I am looking forward to the challenge! 🙂