Throwing My Soul From

["just because I'm losing

doesn't mean I'm lost."

-Coldplay]

throwing my soul from

this semi-burning building

forgetting the luggage of

clouds as they pass by

I won't demand anything

talking underwater to those

still on dry land,

my voice is bent like

light and there are

arrows through every heart

like Valentine's day in grade-school

the crayon clouds stay,

unable to depart, while

everyone else flows away

but I'm hanging my water-logged valentines out to dry

and making each eviction

count for something

at least, on paper

even though I know

I will land too softly for anyone to cry

without breaking apart

without feigning anything

without wounding:

the shining lawns remaining_

mary angela douglas 26 october 2008