soon spring
gloom everywhere
but gardens
–Joshua Eric Williams

Once, I thought I’d leave this world too soon.

I hadn’t learned to put reins on my gloom

& let it canter through others’ perfect gardens. 

A mind should be a forest, not a garden. 

I once thought I would leave this world too soon

but now I braid the blue mane of my gloom

into diamonds of gloom, fishtails of gloom,  

& clutch them as I trample through the gardens

that never suited me. I’m patient. Soon 

impatiens will spring from my garden, bright as gloom. Oh, soon.

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