Mapmaker
Poem
The horizon, a straight black line, cut a diameter across her pupils.
The land, neither lush nor barren, stretched out seamlessly.
No path, road, or signpost marred the view.
She clenched her hands at her sides and exhaled dryly.
Turning around, she noted that the rear mirrored the plain
And she wondered at how she’d reached the spot at all.
Sitting down cross-legged, she considered her tightened fists.
One was bulging with breadcrumbs, the other with colorful pills.
Both had been a bit fuller a few days ago, but neither lacked.
Her brow furrowed as she imagined opening both at once.
Yet the picture of her discovery, his tears, made her frown.
Moving forward…but to where? And for what? And still…how?
She sighed again, as a small brown bird alighted on her wrist.
He looked at her quizzically, then plunged his beak between her fingers.
Like a nightingale, he began to sing her a song, and hopped to her shoulder.
Closing her eyes, she straightened both arms before her.
Decision made, she swallowed hard and felt her heart pound.
Slowly, slowly, she relaxed the muscles of her left hand…
more by VK Lynne
photograph by Jesse Uli
