Chains set footsteps like arches over each moment to lighten the load plumed grasses trodden dry mute their pain real silence outspoken in sun and shade outside us they are and feel a tortoiseshell’s mangled wings poppies picked thrown aside they our balm your pain is real for another breaking heart or home our passing by hears is unseen with no cloak of invisibility a touchless touch with no imprint lark larch lover feathers leaves brushing skin singing solitudes to one another our pain is real the kindly ones who shadow our trail are we traces in our wake remains stains spilt milk in place of tears consentient bare feet on bare stone a healing palm on passion’s welts name intact and silence constant corporality mind’s wall tread lightly between meadow grass and thorn shaping footfall slip among the stems lifting the press of domination one through other submission to liberating chains.
Jane Angué teaches English Language and Literature in France. She contributes in French and English to print and online journals such asLe Capital des Mots, Amethyst, Ink, Sweat and Tears, Acumen, Erbacce, Poésie/première, Traversées, Mille-feuille. A pamphlet, des fleurs pour Bach, was published in 2019 (Editions Encres Vives).
Amethyst Review 