Grace
By Kimberly Madura

Your words transferred grace
back to me.
Like the deepest blue waves gently wash
over the shore.

Healing the broken pieces of my soul.
Cleansing the wounds.
Restoring it to complete strength.

To face the world again
feeling fully,
with undaunted courage,
and fresh vulnerability.

Your Relapse
By Kimberly Madura

During those stretches of time
when you are gone
I pray – I dream (nightmares)
I try to figure it out
figure the disease out
figure you out
figure us out
something’s wrong / relapse / where are you
do you look different
can I tell
now I know
but I don’t know
don’t I know?
look for the signs
but you lie so well
maybe it’s okay, call me, but it’s not okay
fading
secrets and lies
fooled me again
looking so strong
thought you were done with this
disappearing
away from me
away from us all
didn’t we try everything
didn’t you
didn’t I
surprise
you take me so
far and then cut
me loose
who’s in trouble now
I know, why do I do this, but then
done with this
can’t do this
but please call me (still)
please
how long will you hide, HOW LONG
then what? begin again?
hope still
is there? a way?
away so long
I miss you
please come
back,
again
one more
time

clouds
By Wayne F. Burke

great frigate ship and
a staircase to walk
up into the sky
blue
sea-air,
snorkel-gear
under my arm,
Neptune going down
plenty fathoms
there

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