Stepping with the Baby

author’s note:

Wishing you the best on all your big steps in 2023.


STEPPING WITH THE BABY

The bold blind wandering fool
I once was
has become a seasoned explorer who can see
potential risk
and knows
men and women of courage
do not always win.

Even those who’ve checked
every box on the list.

But this man also realizes
if he doesn’t answer the call
he will die.

And so
I lift my foot
to take the next step.

But even after all these years
a baby still clings to my back.
Being so immature
that tot couldn’t care less
about higher necessities--
it only worries about its own well-being--
neither reason nor cooing will stop
that child from kicking and crying.

So I do not try to negotiate
but continue to stretch my stride.

And when the raised foot lands
back on solid ground--
that child calms down

but only for a while:
   as soon as one scary step
   has settled firmly
   another scary step
   demands to be heard.

What a labor, the way we humans live.

But at times
I can put aside the careful adult
and that anxious infant
to allow another child—
a child of wonder--
to open my eyes
to the incredible life to be found
on every step of this path.

Common Courage: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

Children of the Invasion

author’s note:

A poem about civilian casualties of war.  Written years ago.

When I see what’s happening today, I realize my poem didn’t have much impact.

Nonetheless, I going to keep trying.


CHILDREN OF THE INVASION

The invaded child
died for our sins.

If you haven’t heard of that child
that’s because the authorities
keep neglecting to tell us.
I think they even neglect to tell themselves.
I think
they wear those donkey heads
because they don’t dare witness

that naked body hunched in a ditch
as if in a womb of mud.

The attack was meant to protect
that child’s future
and the future
of that child’s children
--was that the idea?

Our humanity
is fragile.
Our humanity
is not guaranteed.

I say this
to those directly responsible
for that blind blunt act--
   to those
   who have made me
   indirectly responsible--
I say this:
the people will eventually reject
your well-crafted rationalizations.

I believe
the cry of the ghost child
will eventually break through
and as we wake we’ll recognize
those children in the shadows
as our own.

Then we will know:
we must find the courage
to stop destroying
all those vessels of soul.

myth steps blog
dream steps blog
you tube channel
© 2022, Michael R. Patton

Monster Behind the Door: a Dream

author’s note:

From experience, I say: dreams don’t lie.


MONSTER BEHIND THE DOOR: A DREAM

I decided to face that monster
I could feel lurking
on the opposite side of the door.

But as I pulled the knob
that beast pulled against my pull

so I gave up and tried
to push the door all the way shut

but then that shadow force
pushed against my push.

In nervous frustration
I then upped my courage
another notch:

I stopped

and stepped back

which allowed the door
to swing open.
Darkness suddenly vanished
into light then
and the wail I’d heard
coming from a banshee
became the cry of a small child
abandoned on the floor.

Unfortunately
I awoke from the dream then

so I can’t tell you if I lifted that child up

but from experience
I can say for certain:
once opened
those doors do not close.

The Truth of the Dream: poetry ebook
© 2021, Michael R. Patton