I Walk Alone

I Walk Alone

dusty, well-worn moccasins

travel through mesa shadows,

windblown arroyos,

along dry river beds of delusions

alone with myself.

 

steam from hot rocks

surround naked skin

attempting to cleanse

the death that follows me;

cleanse my wolf spirit

so that I may run, alive,

breathe in high mountain air,

drink the icy waters of Winter’s streams

roll in fresh fallen snow

and howl in attempts to find you.

but even with all I sweat out,

the regrets,

disappointments

and mistakes,

I cannot cleanse the loneliness.

my jeans,

flannel shirt

and eagle feathered hat

still reek of an unbalanced life.

 

these days

the sun shines in rainbows,

clouds speak to Grandmother’s moon,

stars sing songs to Turtle,

Blue butterflies make love to daisies

and brother Eagle soars

over Sand Creek,

yet I walk with coyote dreams

astride mesa’s shadows,

kicking up ancient,

desolation dust.

I walk alone.

 

Aztec Warrior/redzone   1.15.17

Author's Note

...thanks for reading...

Reviews

[New Beginings]

I love this piece. I can feel how this person feels because it is so deeply worded. It is also relatable.

Good job.

[Lyn Anderson]

We become pensive, introspective when we lose one close to us. In grief, we are lonely, even if not physically alone. Beautifully stated.

[redzone]

instead of individual thanks, I wanted to leave you all (including to those who read but did not leave a review) my deeply felt appreciation for your heart felt comments and for reading...this poem is a special one for me reflecting my mood since the passing of my mom...

[Kelly Scheppers]

I believe we all walk that road. Your message resonates with love and loss, and touches the heart of this reader.

Beautiful writing, Curt!

[aLittlePain]

Hello Curt, I think this might be my favourite of yours. The song is perfect, and only affirm the message. I love how you weave native practise and lore into your writing. This feels like healing that kind that can only happen in solitude. My feelings are similar to Ana's. And then there was love. Be well my friend. R xo

[Papaya]

This feels very much like the isolation we force upon ourselves while we attempt to heal or cleanse, not wanting others along to witness the ugly process of purging all the badness. Love the song. Always been one of my faves.

[barleygirl]

Once again, one of my favorites of yours that I've read so far! Excellent imagery from Native lore. Love the sequence of trying to rid oneself of the toxins from our earlier less-informed actions & experiences . . . love the descriptions of sweating it out & still coming up short. So true to life, as we struggle thru our daily ups & downs & regrets & joys. It's all here. So true-to-life. I love the way you put things into such vivid natural terms. We all die alone.

[mercy party]

it made feel like i was out in the badlands with you the whole time. There does come a time for everyone even without regret etc. to just go for that walk. Awesome and classy poem.

[Sami Khalil]

A lot of our regrets, disappointments and mistakes come in stages and for different reasons. It is part and parcel of learning as we go, growing up in knowledge or relationships and even moving to the next step. A sad but gorgeous write of utter touchiness...:)...................

[wordman]

this is profound and touching write,it speaks of loneliness ,it speaks of age and death,it speaks of the spirit seeking freedom,,lovely write ,and imagery