bruises

i haven't had belly bruises since july 14, 1995.

sometimes, it takes belly bruises to know you are alive.

belly bruises and running.

lots of running

in circles and circles or straight lines that never end

until they do end

in a swandive freefall

...or CRASH!

creating untamed flames

that burn for years

lighting up my mind and dangling from my ears

you feel it through my lips

i feel it through your hips

my blood is too thick to move

away from your thick skin

we stay put and make many references to better days than this.

this imagery is imaginary.

of course, you're not real - in eleven years past

clearly,

you're not here, and clearly,

you can't see me

come into my own

when those red lights behind the highway welcome me home.

cmchale031006