Jan Irene Miller
Awake
Acrylic and ink on paper
Response
Awake
By Jules Rolfe
Inspiration piece
I
Am
Awake
I woke up breathing
At daylight
The floor too cold
I felt it with my feet
I felt the soft fur of the purr
Asking for breakfast
My hands tingling in the warm water
And the cold tap water sliding down my scratchy throat.
I
Am
Awake
To my heart beating faster as I get into the car
Listening to the incessant beep or reverse
As I look for the lady and her little white dog
And the children next door
Before I take my foot off the break
I
Am
Awake
When I see a red-headed wood pecker
Flash by where I picked wine berries
By the bucket full in spring
I am awake as I wait for the car
Going more than the speed limit
Before turning out onto the highway
I
Am
Awake
To the pain shining out
from the center of my chest
I rub it. Not wishing it away—
Tending it. The fear, the hope
the anger, the disappointment
the haste, the burden, the waste. I tend it. And
I
Stay
Awake
_________________________
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