.

the year of not sleeping

the notion that home is not a place

so much as a sense of self one wears

just under the skin.

this year could so easily be blamed

on unending fatigue due to a distinct

lack of oxygen; the recent fact of

Finland setting a national law in

motion to render tobacco illegal

is small consolation since second

hand smoke still drifts across borders

and oceans; but it is one country's

way of saying NO to the insidious

obscenity of a greed that prays

on addiction-for-profit.

cancer sticks.

at 1 am, the distinct rush of water

from a nearby ravine is underscored

by the gentle sway of leaves through

dark; this is what I'll recall when all

of this is finally done and I've moved

on.

until then ...

hold on

lone-heart

to the sway of air

that lifts and trails

a midnight dream

of winged oceans,

evangeline in search

of home, her tall grass

redemption found in

a latin word for truth,

hold on

home-heart

don't drift too far!