Harlequin

***This poem is a continuation from River Styx, Desert Red and Waste/Safe Land

Peddler man

left me at the edge of the grassland

indicating

I was to meet the next guardian

through my travels

in this blindingly green world.

Abraded

flesh

soul

reborn

my heart was light

joyous even

as I followed the path.

I saw them before they saw me.

Soldiers gleaming gold

in burnished armour.

Squinting I move forward

to find myself surrounded

by men with pikes

with swords

desperation vivid on their faces

as they took me into custody.

Forced to kneel

before the Harlequin

believing

he was to be my next guide

I was caged

jailed

forgotten

for a small time.

Imperious Harlequin

an intricate dance for two

chained by his side

I sink into disrepair.

Sept. 16/17

Photo by elen aivali on Unsplash

Cycle of Life

I use to sit upon your knee

while you braided my hair

and whispered of your dreams for me.

Held your hand when I was scared

watching you chase away the monsters.

You took the backseat when I learned to drive

through this journey called life

letting me soar and learn on my own

even when the mistakes were fraught.

Now the time has come

the page has turned

and it is I who must care for you.

I hold your hand when you whisper in fear

I comb thin hair once so thick you despaired

I watch as you pull away from me

moving backwards into the heaven’s light

knowing that you have no regrets

you have lived this life

the way you always dreamed.

With tears shattering on my cheeks

I say my final good byes

I am once more that little girl

needing her mother to hold her tight

and remind her that this is the cycle of life.

Jay-lyn Doerksen

May 26/18