Inspiration by Patricia Cannon

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Inspiration
by Patricia Cannon

Loneliness
began as a child 
when she would place
with the utmost care 
toy upon toy
on top of her small body 
until she was covered
with the solitary sound
of her own breathing 
certain that this
would shield her
from the wrath 
of a human touch
that would first
wrap around her ankles
and then pull her down 
into the watery deep
of haunting deceit
the forbidden country
where silence reigns
and innocence drowns
in salty tears and foamy sheets.

Then, as a woman 
She would place 
with the utmost care
book upon book 
on top of her life
until she was covered
with a multitude of voices
certain that this 
would shield her
from the warmth 
of a human touch
that would first
wrap around her heart
and then pull her down 
into the watery deep
of intoxicating heat
the borderless country 
where love reigns 
and exhalations 
rise like sweet-smelling
clouds to the ceiling.

But her child
barely a year old 
pressed against her chest 
like life itself 
with all its fragile hope
inspires her
to swim 
toward her true voice 
stranded somewhere 
on the babbling sea 
of her own fear. 

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