I called to you 
softly when I 
was young; my
voice bounced off 
the bricks of a 
suburban slum,
sauntered down 
side streets and 
stirred piles of 
leaves, then snagged 
in the branches till 
the wind tore it free 

to collapse at your 
window like a 
weary songbird
that had been 
singing for decades 
and finally, you heard.

Where do I go?
I have the world unfolding in front of me,
filled with questions and information,
waiting for this decision to be made.
It has me turned inside out.
The thought of picking a direction for the rest of my life,
or worse,
having no say in the matter,
makes me shake.
I tremble quietly as my mind worries with irrational fear
of every eye on Earth watching me make this choice.
But I just keep repeating my own little prayer-  
One step at a time.
A step forward from here.

From here.
From here.

Where exactly is "Here"

hand in hand and two bright lights
moving through the calm night
leaves lit by the moon
hoping to find water soon
an eerie calm
loosely clasped palms
a sudden hesitation
and running imaginations
whispering with you
over a noise or two
a light disappeared
slight unacknowledged fear
****** rising
emotions heightening
a disturbance in the leaves
a tighter hold, a startled scream
you called my name
two large ears hopped away
laughter ensued
steps continued
the destination seen piece by piece
place to rest and regain peace
a rushing water found
feet slowly moving with arms around
to an unheard beat
water and rock beneath our feet
under the flecks of stars through trees
perfect night with you next to me