Photo by Christopher Raley

I Asked the Road

I asked the road, Bear me.
The road asked, Bear you where?
I said, Another self.

So the road took me north,
but I followed that way
and all I created.

The road said, Do you see?
I am only a thing
between points. My lengths stretch

between towns. My widths lie
between lands. But you are
one, if one unfinished.

While I may only go
at all times you may stop
step out of the rushing

shed what you’ve kept on you
open what you may hear
breathe what you may smell, see

what you may not own and
stand with two naked feet
on earth that has born you

for years as if birthing
without ever groaning.