We watched the great man
and bowed together. All
holding hands in a chain.
You were as noticeable to
me as a mottled egg.
Escape you whispered.
No one else heard.
Escape hissed in the flags
and the rolling tires.
No one else understood.
I gathered up my things.
Made them into balls.
I'd never packed to
go anywhere. I made
luggage from a box
that was a table
now maybe a boat.
There were piles of
shoes at the river. You said
you’ll walk until
you begin to sink
because you can't swim
then you’ll drift and cling.
I went awkwardly past
the checkpoint. Stood on
a beach. My box
of rolled things will
float I hoped.
I lingered on
your tardy curtsy.
Your dry eyes
amidst moist faces.
Your sidelong
glance implied.
We did something
other than pray
to be unbuoyed
by ideology.
#weeklypoemandpic