Heartworms

One Step

It only takes a step backward,
And all is right with the world again.

You can go on with your life,
Pick up where you left off in your journey;
Be the brave swallow that you are and soar to greater heights
As if that fork in the road never brought you to me.

Then, I can return to my hometown,
Fall back into my routine of daybreaks, work, and sunsets;
Grow old in the small village near the outpost
As if that fateful hurricane never led me to you.

But if I were to speak of the truth,
That damned yellow line behind me promises no beginnings.
In a place without you, there is no redemption;
In a place without you, there is no reprieve.

Even so, it only takes a step forward,
And all is right with my world again.

—

Author’s Notes: Artwork by the one and only sunsetdooly.

JM, you know how I could never say ‘no’ to you.