Step

Black asphalt stretches
road to no where
leading to everything I've ever desired.

The horizon has been broken
ripped like so many rainbows
stolen by encroaching clouds

There's a rumble in the sky
there's a quake beneath my feet
splitting realities

Bold and solid
the only thing not broken in my world
a yellow line

Journey halted
for somewhere within
these dark little thoughts

Resides a mind
that was raised to follow rules
no matter how foolish

White lightening singes
burning brambles
scent of electricity

steaming tears
streaming fears
Do I dare?

If opportunity is golden
consequences are the flames
How much pain

can be experienced
before you are ripped from your slumber
from your womb of apathy

No more point in wondering
I step boldly
and pray you wake in time



Comments

Claudia said…
the only thing not broken in my world
a yellow line...dang....strong emotions and images...and powerful closure as well...hope he wakes in time..
Brian Miller said…
the womb of apathy...i wonder at times what it will take to wake some people up...oy, i hope they wake in time as well...and at what point do we decide to walk and live instead of waiting...
Laura said…
"How much pain

can be experienced
before you are ripped from your slumber
from your womb of apathy"... Wow!!! May this be a New Year of continuing to go boldly forth...breaking rules creating a path all your own!
colleen said…
I love the driving rhythm that concludes with the hope of waking in time. This goes well with my post this week. I could take my metaphoric suitcase down your road.
Anonymous said…
" before you are ripped from your slumber
from your womb of apathy" that's really strong.
vivinfrance said…
Tashtoo, you are a brave lassie: go for it!
mrs mediocrity said…
here's to stepping boldly... through flames and apathy and lightning.... may 2013 bring you peace and love.
jasmine calyx said…
I love this:

"there's a quake beneath my feet
splitting realities
Bold and solid"

P.S. I think you meant "lightning," not "lightening."
this is truly great: "If opportunity is golden
consequences are the flames
How much pain

can be experienced
before you are ripped from your slumber
from your womb of apathy" - I love "womb of apathy", it's such a potent image in this powerful write!
Anonymous said…
Powerful and important words that I am so glad you were awake and bold enough to say.
Anonymous said…
very dark and beautiful - i just love your work. the last stanza was a killer, amazing!
Anonymous said…
'How much pain
can be experienced
before you are ripped from your slumber
from your womb of apathy' - oh my, your words just made my day. thank you so much for this.
Happy New Year, Natasha~
LOVE! THIS! POEM!

damn, girl! you're starting the new year off right!

hoping 2013 brings you some of your heart's desires and much love and enough joy and almost-too-many smiles!

Wolfsrosebud said…
...the power of a yellow line and maybe one kind word to another
You are a bold and true spirit Tash! I know that as you create a path for yourself, others will awake around you--great write! And Happy New Year to you!
Anonymous said…
well, just the first stanza was enough for me; the road to nowhere being the road to everything desired...whew
Anonymous said…
One small step for woman, one giant leap for poets far and wide, ha. To look at the line, to accept its presence, and then to willingly step over it, disregard it...now that is courage. I hope your desire for change outweighs any reluctance. Break on through!
Ben Ditty said…
Your words speak to me, Natasha. Thank you for dreaming.
Kate Solo said…
Nice!! Kinda creepy & dark...I like it!! :-)
marousia said…
Superb - simply superb - may we all wake up!
Anonymous said…
Hi Tash - your poem is actually the first thing today to make me realize that it is 2013! I love the idea of the yellow line being the only thing unbroken - especially since this means you are in a no passing lane! Very interesting and cool. Take care. Best of luck to you in 2013. K.
Ken Higginson said…
Womb of apathy, womb of ignorance,seriously...wake up! Nice imagery.
jackiedick said…
Waking up in time...left me worrying and awake...Powerful..worrisome and dark..!
kelvin s.m. said…
...a strong piece to voice out your pleas... commendable of the bravery to such a hard thing to do - to truly express oneself... happy new year NH... smiles...
Unknown said…
strong write Tash. Love the motion in this piece, really outstanding image/detail as well. Great theme. Way to kick of the poetic new year right. Hope you had/have a great new years. Cool photo as well. Thanks
Anonymous said…
This is really powerful Tash - so much pain, so much longing tied together.

Here's hoping 2013 is a good year for you and yours.
Unknown said…
Really enjoyed this one, very strong, urgent.

And yes, I hope we all wake in time.
lucychili said…
on the edge of a new day
driving through a storm makes the journey all you can see.
great poem
Susan said…
This narrator sometimes speaks to and of herself and sometimes to others whom she feels she must lead. Such a heady split, aptly divided by the yellow line:
"Bold and solid
the only thing not broken in my world
a yellow line"
And I say, hurrah for the line, a bit of caution (as we step boldly forward) not to mistake the world's broken-mess for our own. What a moving poem!
Anonymous said…
the only thing not broken in my world
a yellow line

Tash- this line carries so much weight...and this poem to me is like a reflection from a dashboard...someomne driving, reflecting, and wrestling with some serious internal questions
Yiota Karioti said…
Beautifully done. I love the strength of it. Courage leads us down to paths where few can follow. :)
Vernon Wildy, Jr. said…
Now that's how you start 2013, by taking a bold step. Love the power and imagery in this.
Anonymous said…
Damn! Step boldly, and please take my hand, so that I might come along as well...
Jeff said…
Resides a mind
that was raised to follow rules
no matter how foolish

Here's to violating foolish rules! Great poem Tash, full of deep feeling and powerful thoughts.
James Rainsford said…
Great imagery here Natasha and you've set a high bar for the rest of us in this new year.
Jamie Dedes said…
So many of us raised to follow the rules and isn't breaking out wonderful in its daring and dispite the fear and trepidation. Emotional poem. The sense of urgency fits the story well.

Nicely done!

Many blessing in 2013!
Steve King said…
Nice going, Natasha...sleeping, drifting are so easy. That first step down the dark road is the hardest. Very fine poem.
SK
Chris Lawrence said…
wow sat by your side in a camaro i hurtled into this powerful and just the right intensity all the best for 2013

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