No Thanks!

I’m trying desperately

to pack everything I’ll need

for a long one-way journey.

The to-do list is epic,

not sure what will get done.

Cleaning house,

tidying up loose ends,

saying goodbyes,

all in a rush that,

dream like,

seems too slow and

at the same time,

too fast.

In the midst of all this you hand me

an unwanted gift. It is small and alive,

bites furiously with needle sharp teeth.

Now? I think, NOW you give me this??

Time is short – I have not energy enough

to deal with it. Perhaps I never did.

For several days this dubious gift nips

angrily at my arm, my ankle, the tender skin

of my very heart.

Finally...finally...I find an old bone for it to chew,

pry the wicked creature off of me, set it down

outside the back door with a bowl of water

and a bowl of nettles, saying

         good bye, good luck,

         good riddance.

It was absolutely all

I could think to do

with your parting gift

of hurtful words.