Running Away’s Finish Line

As if holding her

Might make him believe in himself,

He whispered from across the room:

“Come here.”

Thinking his hand touching her body

Might allow him to be who he was,

He curled close,

As if searching for purchase,

A grounding,

Hopefully arriving

With self-respect

Would erase sadness,

Reveal smiles,

Even if covering pain.

Like a newly discovered country

His hand arose from within her,

Bringing forth the untraveled roads,

Clasping her hand for a new journey.

And the places of her being had no name,

For she is what is unfathomable about the night.

As they looked back at the clothes on the floor

Resting in observation of forgetfulness,

The finish line was found

The starting anew beckoned.