Fortress of Leaves

One upon one
steadfast in line.

I’ve been piling leaves one upon one.
Silly child. To think that they won’t falter
That you won’t fall.
Those jagged edges that lacerate skin
those simple steps to alleviate sin;
Why me?

He asked me if I knew what he’d be for Halloween.
Asked, because I was supposed to know.
Old enough to know everything. To read minds.
He had a circle of leaves where he placed ants
And the ants struggled to survive,
sought to  path up canyon walls..

One upon one…steadfast in line.

I’m not so ugly, undesired, unclear,
I’m not so ignorant, innocent, involved
I’m not so cold, corroded, concealed

I’ve been building worlds
tiny worlds of gossamer and leaves
Keep building. They keep building up
Yes, someday you’ll have enough to crumble.
I’m wounded, you know that.
They’ve cut me and my leaves are dotted,
speckled with the essence of me.

steadfast in line

He wanted me to answer, but I didn’t know what to say
It could be anything;
could be ghoul or ghast, angel or air
King of leaf castle unto ants a god.

I’ve been trying,
I’ve been crying. You won’t see it
It doesn’t exist in worlds of one upon one.
Will never be uttered in words wound up
steadfast in line.

It won’t be forever. It won’t be the last.
Leaves upon leaves…they gather so fast.