Vagabond Dreams

how old are they now those that fell by the wayside, one foot in the unknown the others that disappeared to the other side of the moon why were they lost, spilling into the wind tossed upwards, cast aside, like an unrequited memory giving way like broken clouds silently dispersing into the vast, midnight sky how did we let them go… turn our backs on an exodus we don't quite recall while they took their leave without a sound, ...not an echo, nor a cry fragments may reappear weary and worn, without a name disguised by the ashes that hide the flame how often do we believe we might see them ignite rising up from the alter of youth like a sunrise from the afterlife but grasses grew unplanted sprouting out of nowhere to fill the vacant spaces we didn't know were there ____________________________________________________ 8/31/21 contest Vagabond Dreams sponsor Craig Cornish