Regret
Slipping, grieving through the dark
My parents were away
I was mad that they would leave
They hadn’t said goodbye
Disappointment burning less
With thoughts of fresh revenge
Her breathing came out slow and even
She sat guarding by my room
Soft wrinkles wove rivers on her skin
Her clothes worn, her face aged and wise
A pang of sorrow for the
Trouble I would cause her.
I slip away, like the creaks in my house
I hold my breath, moving slow
My basement is darker than night
I imagine what’s hidden,
I’m blind
But I know where the window is
The one with the loose screw
I feel the cool glass and gentle light
And wriggle the screw loose,
I breathe
The shallow scraping it does make
Like my soul,
its fighting free
I fly from the deep gaping mouth,
The window.
I now live.
Jump, swirl, twirl, and dip
Dive through the stars and moon
My bare feet are burning against
Ageless cool ground buried under years
I smile, I breathe, I close my eyes
Night velvet needs no sight
My name is called from my door
She saw my bed was empty
I turn
and run
and run
and run
Away in darkness deep as water
My feet still burning from the cold
But not as much as my soul regret.