Potential

by Sarah Tucker

Cool and clever,
What else would I be?
Receptive eyes--Green
like the trees
however, inside
raging, a mesh of wind shaking
yellow brown orange red
swirling thoughts racing for a grounding
finding nothing but a lengthy memory
Desiring only quietude solitude
One unachievable in this free America
a retreat to the forest is long overdue.
Fingers crossed hands stuffed in pockets
I am older longing for something better
in a preserve of holiness left
(the government has sectioned off just enough)
accepting that truth, fingers come un-stuffed from lint
feeling wind instead
curly, copper hair blown
finger tips gently wiping the wisps off a forehead
full of sinus allergies and a dehydration headache.
The wind still talking through dying leaves
Heel Toe Heel Toe
Mindfulness enveloping
(Everything at once--
too many ideas at a time get lost)
so at this moment there is nothing
except the metal sound of cars rushing close by
proving the pointlessness of my attempt at escaping.
Disbelief a preserve has received me with open
Love-of-Mother's-Arms unconditionally
the smoker I am, polluting the air every puff
(but I won't throw the butt on the ground
like an irresponsible child learning laziness at every turn)
and I turn with gathered solace,
tired from the effort it takes to relieve stress nowadays
muttering "not enough nature in my backyard"
heel toe heel toe
cool and clever, what else would I be?
Metal keys jingling, leaves crinkling,
Climb into my green gas-consuming machine
the drive I have ahead of me
Potential waiting waiting
waiting

The Author

Sarah "Mother" Tucker is a poet, spoken-word artist, preschool teacher, yoga enthusiast, and enjoys painting, although she is not very good at it. She is also a member/co-founder of the huge artist network known as Café Ballistico (www.cafeballistico.com). Sarah currently resides in Woodridge, Illinois, where she spends much time with her dog, Floyd.