while darkness lurks in the shadows
of sun-filled promises and
homeless camps can be found
just outside 3 story Colonials
I’m sure Life doesn’t enjoy
pushing anyone onto broken glass
or unleashing flashfloods of desperation
She usually likes to challenge us
with skill tests on low-rise balance beams
or equilibrium games on head-high rope walks
though sometimes it can get scary
when I find myself standing on the
tallest point in a forest of thorns
while following the fragrance
of a hidden rose