"Beginnings" by Rosella Weigand

Holding my breath,

I emerge from the darkness

Through squinted eyes

I see the wind

Singing through the trees

I let the sun overhead

Dance light across my skin

I exhale to drink it all in

It’s been awhile

Perhaps, too long, I know

I stick out my tongue

The air tastes sweeter

Than I remember it

I hear children laughing,

Playing somewhere nearby

A car rolls to a stop

The driver looks at me

Then drives on

Maybe we were friends once

But not anymore

It feels like a lifetime

Has passed me by

I have the creases around my eyes

To prove it

Who am I?

I wonder

Which version of me is this?

My own heart beat,

The only sound I seem to recognize,

Keeps a steady, calm rhythm

I slowly walk forward,

Guiding myself down this path

I wish I had taken sooner

I feel awakened

Refreshed

Like I’ve been born, again

On this Earth

This world,

I miss it

But has it missed me?

Low Hanging Fruit