Escapism in Pictures
Lifting my head
like a passenger
drawing pictures
in the air
in front of me
This one is a picture
of not being here
In this one I’m
opening the door
with the tip
of my tongue
and walking out
with my tongue
in my hand
Not even waiting
until it’s time
when is it time?
Lifting my head
and leaning into the air
as in a picture
of not in the picture
not even leaving word
It’s not a struggle
or one of those small
wars that’s over
as soon as it begins
I’m going to forgive
myself as soon as
I have a chance
Rope Theory
When you hold on to your rope
you’re not picking it up
or putting it down
or adjusting it
to make it easier
Nobody’s telling you
it’s a good rope
or the best rope
for you right now
Not even paying
It’s not an expensive rope
It goes with everything
I’m just saying
It’s true we often hold on
to something because it’s easier
than letting go
It isn’t a tight
rope not even knotted
it doesn’t matter if it’s your rope
or you’re taking it out
like a library book
you need to take back
When you come to the end
of your rope it’s pointless
to look for another rope
not worth being released
into somebody else’s custody
Peter Leight lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. He has previously published poems in Paris Review, AGNI, Antioch Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, New World, and other magazines.
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