poem twenty-six

i borrow the car
drive too fast
too far
but i can't give it a second thought

if only i could forget
the pain
the regret

until i'm on the edge of the lake's shore
and can drive no more

as i linger near the water
and remember the last time
i've managed to sneak away from reality

it's gotten colder
i've gotten older

i toy with the sand
ice cold in my hand

and i realize how empty the place is
and that i shouldn't be out at a time like this

but who am i to be rational?

as i wonder alone
i toss in a stone
and can't help but grin at the splash

i kick off my shoes
there's no time to lose
and into the water i dash

it's icy, it's free
it's been waiting for me
as the waves further on slowly crash

making me wonder what lies further on...

i put on my socks
while i sit on the rocks
and stare at the stars and imagine

from daffodils, a happy home,
to sonnets, or a day in rome
or what color my hair is at this exact moment

until, hesitantly, i know it's time to go

i don't think an officer of the law
would look too kindly upon a reckless dreamer

but i can't help but imagine.