milestones
milestones in the thicket
measure distance
from place to place
counting steps
along a poor road
scarcely delineating the barren land
from the thicket.
the walker
cuts through with scythe and need
stumbling upon the next stone,
stubbed toe, thorn bleed, itch skin,
moving blindly through the thicket
with little trace of the way.
the collector
excavates artifacts in dreams
souvenirs of regret
these cherished heavy stones,
blessed weights, fond torments,
and aspirations lost.
they beg for inspection, demand voice,
held in place by sinew and synapse
and ghost.
the watcher
numbers orbits
of this bent wheel