That Quiet Place by David Ward Jones

That Quiet Place

Kind'a hard to breathe around here.

All the new guests seem to do is undo all the things
I've been doing for her; slowly turning this magical
kingdom into whatever doesn't offend anyone any longer;
stripping it bare as if it (and I) were the affront to
their fear entrenched reality; and when I muster the
strength to state my feelings, they speak of me and
her and the thing we had, and never once do they
notice that me and her and she and we and even I all
become past tense as if she and I were already dead
and gone, buried and long forgotten: I wonder, do they even know that they are the ones responsible for
creating both; that there are other, more loving
options that don't result from fear; that they and I
are actually making a decision to see either love or
fear- but not both?
How can one share such as this...
     ....being so outnumbered?
           (Having also learned fear.)
   I literally feel thwarted at every turn...

    I haven't the heart (or skill) needed to bring
awareness unto them (as if I am not a part!), and I
fear any attempt to do so will result in a battle to
be won, not a lesson to be learned. As I have always
done in the past, smarting as the throbbing handprint
on my cheek swells, is there another way here?

Is there someplace we can go, or something I can
learn, that could possibly bridge the gaps between us
that would for once and for all end this downward
spiral of a dream by allowing us to see how much we
need one another to be strong, or simply be in love
instead of fear?
   Am I the crazy one after all for even asking?
    Am I delusional for wanting to care?
     Should I suffer so
          just to show
           what is humanely possible
            when you just let go?

I've shucked this society's wrappings,
             its shackled trappings,
              its shallow smiles,
            in a choking gasp of air.

       And as I learned to fill my lungs,
                   to stretch my legs,
               to let my mind wander...

                   ....through my fears.

    I really think I'm on to something here, y'all...

        Hello?

Anybody?

written for Cecelia Franklin

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