on the last day of february
I saw daffodils abloom
in the woods
wanting nothing in return
they were there for the taking
I paused & for a moment
studied them in earnest
at their delicacy
& their modesty
proceeding to carry them with me
in mind only
throughout the remainder of the day
february two thousand twenty-five
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
I am the aftermath
alive within the bubble
protected by the almighty
permitting me to return to my feet
and walk again among
the living & the dead
[in & out of the rubble]
just as I had once done
thousands of years ago
october two thousand twenty-four
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
the giver of life
is dying
I saw her in the garden
a black-eyed susan
chatting amongst friends
I told her to rest assured
she would
one day return
born of the forest
& worshiped
by flora & fauna
flourishing within like royalty
I thought she was thirsty
but it turned out to be me
so I asked her
to freeze me in the moment
but it was too late
the seeds
I had collected in my mind
were swept away
by the wind
october two thousand twenty-four
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
barely breathing
and unable to move
I imagine the sun
rising above
the endless hills
a simple incision
clears a path for a
laser-guided blade
to reshape my mind
and redefine my life
as I lay awakening
to blinding whiteness
the pain I once knew
vanished with time
that never existed
july two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
i’m borrowing this rock
i keep in my pocket
uncovered years ago
when starting the garden
i washed it off
in the birdbath
dirtying the water
and giving it new life
for however long i can
july two thousand twelve
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
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