poverty

I am one word poor and all the other words
scatter into the chasm along with dreams

I am through searching in waterfalls,
Sonnets written and washed away to the ocean floor
And all that is left is this salt sickness,
stinging empty arms

I have lowered myself into caves,brought flame
Scanning walls for the one word
That would bring you back to me.

22 poems, one for every year and each are one word poor
Phrases climbing up my legs
Seeping into my bloodstream
Attaching to platelets and helix shape shifting

Fuel for every impulse
Attacking and attaching to brain matter
All - one word poor.

Light spackles mountain peaks
In the cool of the canyon
I sense a spark
And a whisper -

“It doesn’t exist”

In the silence,
I am one word,  
Poor.