Where Do I Belong
A landscape poem about losses
This lush, green oasis she was sitting on
(Rapidly she realised)
Was surrounded by a deep, vast desert
In its horizon
Her losses lined up
Side by side
One by one
Some of them
Having never been given rightful recognition
Appeared to claim their status
These layers of denial you’ve clad us with, they said
Here, watch us throw them in the wind
We won’t let you close your eyes this time, they said
Feel the coldness of our nakedness in your heart
Rip off your sanctuary of goodbyes
Release them from your self-protection
Touch, taste them
Playing drums of solitude and despair
Past, present and future
Swarmed her
The sounds she heard:
— Where do I belong?
©Barbara Lima 2020
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