I Prefer Soft Landings & Slow Starts

Photo by Ben Scott on Unsplash

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I prefer soft landings and slow starts.
Space to deliberately study a leaf’s lineage.
To feel words as they roll over my tongue.

Is there a river-like cadence?
Or do I need a valley of vowels with voles?
Am I caught in the grey shale shades,
unable to find the blue ones?
Or have I wed my dreams with a tangerine sun?

The sky, whether night or day,
is split wide with starry diamond eyes.
A depth mirrored as the sea.

I’m captivated by the bees
who nurse the pollen
from lavender’s bent knees.
They dip freely in a flowing fresco,
a living hum.

And each day, a bouquet of roses
blooming on thorn and green
welcome my soul home.

I prefer soft landings and slow starts,
so I don’t forget where I come from.

A version of this poem will be featured in Carolyn's new book, The Colors I Hear.

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Featured on Medium: "This is Who I Am"