NIGHT RAPIDS

scared to show you the cracks

in the cup

where the ridges

have been glued

the semi-gloss glaze

covers them neatly

scared to show you the cracks

in my mind

the places where the

fear stays cool

& damp

the charade

covers them neatly

scared to show you the cracks

in my amour

the places where

the steel

is not flush

slits of sliding metal

over gentle warm

malleable flesh

beneath the surface

scared to show you the cracks

in my attention

where my mind takes

me away

distracted

down through the cold

river of fear

& shame

scared for you to see

this rickety wooden

moss covered canoe

catching a glimpse

of me paddling

focused

into the cold

lost
into the darkness of the night