TEMPERED, FORGED, TENSILED FREE
Astrid

The trees are stumped and so am I
Beyond before…my eyes just dry
Months like years—days like weeks
thunder strikes charcoal creeks

I’ve come and gone and gone and come
To remnants of my dear lost home
Wept and gnashed my teeth at fate
Run from random thoughts to hate

…is there…something…over there?
A twinkling gleam, I forage—stare…
NOPE! Ash; all gray
stop
feel
wait…
I’ve found ME THERE; why hell: I RATE!

Bam! Ow! And How! Awake I git
Scared black n blue; my heart’s relit
…embers grow new fire in ME.
but, next right action’s just: TO BE.

I’m not—the bed, the house, the tree
I’m tempered, forged, tensiled: FREE
Thank God for life; amends I can!
pick up pieces; “know who I am.”