A walk in the park (Snakebite)

Every independent action takes effort;

even a walk in the park takes initiative --

seems harmless enough, even restorative --

leaves & trees & filtered sunlight,

the smell of earthiness, ever so slight;

snippets of bright water sparkle below

my gaited steps alight a crooked path

and then, the lightening strike 

of the piercing pain of the snake bite

Now the real courage begins.

close to life – it is visible ahead --

yet surrounded by bewildering acres of wilderness

one thought in repetition – take action

no need to restore, no need to plan,

no need to drift, no need to notice

climb the hill, call the number, stay alert.

I didn’t know the snake bite would 

rob me of all the courage 

I had stored in a precious little box 

in my soul.

I didn’t know the snakebite would 

break my heart into little droplets 

of dissolved whimpers.

I didn’t know the snake bite would 

fill the core of my being with poison.

I didn’t know the physical challenge 

would be nothing compared to

marshaling my life back into existence.

November 27, 2019