FALLING

Like spears thrown at the earth,

carried with the wind’s force,

brown needles hunt blades of grass

impaled and singed like battlefields

strewn with weapons and flag staffs.

The bull’s-eye thrust pales in comparison to broad-leaf

shields and standards ride the falls with

winged glide and spun descent;

banners embroiled, discarded, and night drenched--

in a dreamed fall, the earth doesn’t get closer,

plummets end in mid-air, and frenzy vaporizes.

The closest step down without looking back,

and the unfallen hang on, place holders,

above the fray and discord, who see a

panoramic spread of the final assault thwarted,

a dream upended .

© cmheuer, 2014