Sensation

(Inspired by Susan Abulhawa: “Against a Loveless World”)

Bright is the morning sun
A songbird sings to an audience of one

A deer stalked across the road,
Narrowly avoiding an RV driver’s humble abode

The air smells of fresh honeysuckle
And blackberries, too

A fawn takes her first steps, stumbling across the way
But I wouldn’t know any of this, as they have locked me away

The night stars twinkle, and a shooting star moves past
“Make a wish,” they say

I wish they would give me the time of day.

I look through the torn sheet they gave me, colored pink, and orange hues
I think of the sunset, a choppy and partial view

My eyes close, unintentionally, blocking out the bright sun long gone
I envision a desert in a far off place, vast and golden

Not a person in sight; I feel the grains of sand
In between my toes, the grains grasping for purchase

Lost memories and lost souls
Waiting yet to be born again

Then, as if a projector came to life, there is a flash,
And I am suddenly in a lush green meadow

Cold, dewy blades of grass beneath my feet
A ladybug takes flight

I wake, in sheer delight, before I realize
My torturous plight

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