Poetry Break: Strait and Narrow

Strait and Narrow

by Anna Maria Junus

They say the way is strait and narrow.

They do not tell about the brambles

And thorny bushes,

The fallen boulders that cannot be

Navigated over, or through, or under,
 But only around,
Or the dragons that promise riches and protection

But breathe fire,

Scarring, mutilating flames that lick

At soft vulnerable places,

And crawl along

Poisoning tender limbs,

Encircling, suffocating innocent song.

He came like knight

 To cut the brambles,

And move the boulders

And fight the dragons,

But morphed into dragon

All-encompassing, demanding dragon,

That couldn't be appeased by any sacrifice

And stole away the song. 

I broke free

and now,

I walk on dappled inconsistent waters,

And leap from cliffs

Where optical illusion bridges span,

As brambles tangle hair,

Thorns torment fleshy fingers,
And boulders detour established paths.
Through unmarked trails I travel along,
  No map, nor compass,
   Just the whisper of sacred song.