En Compass

canopies were seductive

segues

and with their mouths wide open

they were green eyed

and deceptively hospitable

without reason or accountability

because of your intentions

and with your steps---

your mindful walking

it one day dawned upon its passage

that you had the neck of a giraffe

and the mind of a skeptic

and with that

and the turn of your head

you looked back to see the shedding in all its glory

its intrinsic distaste for the likes of you

all you could see was red and auburn

and all you could smell was charcoal

and all you could remember were metal trashcans that had been damaged on their insides

the cusp was stunning and unforgiving and forgetful of your worth

and the shortness of breath was moving in on the horizon