Broken down and bound

Originally published in Paperbark Literary Magazine Issue 1: Emergence

It wasn’t until we had broken down
on the side of the road
steaming and smoking
that we realized we had filled the tank with fear.

We had travelled so far
and the road had been smooth
yet there we were
exhausted.

I’ll always remember the way you looked at me
covered in the soot of our mistakes
realization on your face
knowing what we had done.

We were halfway to nowhere
no one for miles
alone together
resolved.

We looked out at the landscape
through the haze and the heat
barren and broken
yet not fully.

A vulture circled high above a nearby ridge
floating and scanning the arid land
death scout
survivor.

You crouched down like you had broken
tears on your cheeks
a smile
was that hope?

I saw what you saw and I dropped to my knees
a tiny plant no larger than your palm
green and flowering
life.

You rose and walked further from the road
spinning slowly like a dance
floating and scanning
there were more.

You pointed to something in the distance
eyes closed and listening
babble and trickle
source.

We walked toward the water without a plan
a life lined path
no words
determined seekers of something.

The sky was dark now and the stars emerged
a light to the north
flicker and flame
fire.

I heard something loud and human
booming voices nearby
a familiar feeling crept in
unwelcome in my bones.

You saw what I felt and shook your head grinning
knowing the true source of what we had heard
like recognizing like
laughter.

You took my hand and we walked along the stream
toward laughter and light
hands extended
welcomed to community.

We slept by the fire surrounded
strangers and kin
nourished by necessity
safe.

It wasn’t until we had broken down
on the side of the road
steaming and smoking
barren and broken
alone together
that we realized we had filled the tank with fear.

We woke and looked out at the landscape
colors once muted now vibrant
invisible life made visible
love.