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to put yourself
in another’s shoes
imagining
their choice, their health
even their views
to move their way
each stride and tread
patterning
the words they say
or where they’ve fled
to reach checkpoints
in their footprints
travelling
within connected joints
being shedded skins
to chew with their teeth
feel the broken bones
shattering
sense what lies beneath
see through cover, blown
to focus on their scars
both visible and not
inhabiting
their sweaty palms
a body, mind, uncalm
to watch their sorry eyes
reflect, a mirror smashed
fragmenting
to understand their lies
and shards of broken pasts
to sniff a chancing nose
of losses, draws and wins
gambling
scent their highs and lows
as fetid wheels spin
to try to understand
what has always been
happening
like a tailor’s hand
immersed in their seam
to kiss with their lips
discern their taste of love
fastening
to be a doting fit
like, fingers in a glove
to stroke their coiled hair
wrap around their spiel
flattering
to be their lung-filled air
for you to really feel
to sail riverly hearts
navigate their brains
staggering…

…just, faded footprints, apart…

…from walking together…

…our memoried lanes.

© poormansdreams

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