O.L.

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Net fence sags under the weight

of a dozen trees chopped and thrown.

A day sun refuses to grace this land,

refuses me an iota of warmth or aid.


Shivering, I grumble at the inadequacy

of language, of invisible barriers, of men

whose minds – occupied with matters

that involve no fault or judgement – err,


creating gaps in the fabric. I plead reason

for explanations. Why, I ask, tossing

my hands skyward. Moving a wall of wood,

mending a stretched gate, I fill the breach


to keep out hungry beasts. Yes, my security 

should be a matter of concern to you, sir.

My weakness, weak-kneed unwillingness

to think for you, follows me, my own private


miasma of disbelief. Can it really be true?

Grey clouds blot out absent sun. Grateful...

In touch with my gap, I cannot pardon yours.

You require a diagram, a drawing in the sand,


the nature of this – my reality, to understand.

Opaque you are with the Other's impenetrability.

I'm left with my words bouncing back on me.

Perhaps next time you'll allow what I mean. 

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