by Paul Robert Mullen

the continents have become

small strides

i have trembled upon peaks

breathed the darkness
of lairs

untouched

witnessed the peace

of dawn

skimming dampness off the clouds

with wings bound

for something / somewhere

pierced the hum and haze

of a thousand cities

with hardened feet

and softened mind

i have trodden the pathways

of legends and lunatics

gripped the same bars                      unsteady                                    5 am

as spirits scratching at the years to get back

ridden time-zones

like roller coasters at the origin

of everything

held a hundred faceless loves

wondering is this it

watched my youth roll away

then gently return (from time to time)

with tides

on outlandish beaches

written words like these

to help me hang on / believe it all

i’ve done all that                    probably more

though every step i take

towards you and yours

always takes me further

and further

and further away.

Paul Robert Mullen

Paul Robert Mullen is a poet, musician and sociable loner from Liverpool, U.K. He has three published poetry collections: curse this blue raincoat (2017), testimony (2018), and 35 (2018). He also enjoys paperbacks with broken spines, and all things minimalist.

artist: amanda waters