T O T E M
forces pull from above
currents swirl. you gather strength
rising upward your head bursts into the night
leaving the comfort of the womb, you emerge into the world
crying out in the dark, you join the chorus of your brothers and sisters.
instinct carries you on. at first you crawl, but soon you learn to stand erect
growing,
you reach to the sky that gave you life, and race towards the land
you stretch out your neck trying to glimpse what lies ahead
as you near the shore you glow bright with anticipation
lost in the excitement you stumble and lose your balance
betrayed by your first steps, you tumble over head first
you cry out in the night, but nobody is there to catch you
the ground tears at your skin as momentum carries you on
you are crushed as your siblings fall over your broken body
you gather what little strength you have and crawl to the shore
the cries of your siblings are silenced, replaced by a quiet murmur
you stretch out your arms to embrace the sand, but your grip slips away
a fluid curtain covers your tired eyes, as you surrender to the pull from above
- Other Works by Barry Caceres
- Boogie Man
- Table of Contents
- Index
