the tree knows .. .

outside my window there is a fracas
two cars have kissed who shouldn’t outta
now two drivers are awful pissed…

I fold my arms and swallow air
like a thousand times I’ve done before
anxiety syndrome – some things are not my problem

who taught me to be responsible for everybody’s pain
decorate this guilt within my hollow
that hole I’m not allowed now to call my soul

people hang things on you all the time
like the clothes your brothers wore
that ill-fitting bra your mother bought you from the discount store

who wants to be someone else
or go to the bottom of the class
learn to say things that you feel, even it breaks your heart

I’m learning not to reach so much for the bottle
though it distances me from the great Bukowski
who sounds like a magician, an escapologist or a tight-rope walker

we are none of these when we stand up
or kneeling under the sun, before Buda
the prophet Elijah we are told left this planet in a golden chariot

the guys outside have quietened down
exchanged addresses and their insurance cover
maybe they can be best friends if they get close outside the circle

the tree in leaf watches from the wings
tree has no choice for tree is a tree
trees know all the lines they can prompt you, tell the time

©edenbraytoday21.04.2022