1.
the road is made of dust and bones
washed by a million tears rain
its earth released to a new skin of daylight
added like sediment to fill old wounds
sometimes banishing them to forgetfulness
with the setting of the sun

2.
I buried the paddle beside the river
where the broken boat sagged on its side
mourning the end of its journey
I traveled to the woods and dreamed tomorrows
they were heavy on my back
it arched to support them
but it was my burden to bear

3.
she gathered the space of isolation between us
like gathering wool yarn into a ball and
brought each poem here to this tomorrow
then spread them all before me
with her dancing eyes of light

she sang the songs of angels to my heart
and chased away the night with her smile.

she unpacked the bag that I had brought her
whispered each poem into the air
and the years fell away
from the beginning of longing
emptied upon the altar of this day

Chris Vannoy is an American poet based in San Diego, California. He is a member of a new generation of beat poets and has made significant contributions to the poetry scene.