BD

That dog outside
Barks and barks and barks and barks

In circles
And I wonder

If he is alerting anyone

To anything

Of actual importance

Or if he just knows
That it is two in the morning.

And people are trying to sleep.

3/30/2015
Riley Welch

Irregular Fires

He sat up straight.

As the moon’s crescent sailed across the sky

Black and with a depth

You wouldn’t expect it from such a solid color

Seeing long past what you thought you could

He felt like a puppet

Tied up by strings

But he always had

Led through life

By golden-gloved finger tips

Pulling legs and arms

And directing him

Moving whatever way the gods would yank him

But today felt different

He sat up sharp

Usually they guided

And he followed

But this felt forced

Rough

Like the golden gloves

And delicate fingers

Light

Soft

Smooth

Were replaced with a set too large to grasp the wooden control

He yanked the sheets from his bed

And let his feet hit the

Cold hard floor

He rushed his way through morning chores

And slammed the door

Behind

Him

On his way out

Today was not soft

Today was rough

Every move he made was rough

His wheels skidded on the road

And his turns were sharp

The brakes didn’t pump even

Short and long

His foot felt foreign as he hit the pedals

And when he rolled into the driveway

That night

Dark as the one before

He hoped he could be led –

And not pushed,

Like before.               

3/24/2015

Riley Welch

Favorite Fridays

This week's post is six in a series of seven, the rest of which can be seen in the last few weeks of Favorite Friday posts.

The author has asked to remain anonymous. 

Saturday came in disguise. He snuck in when you were busy arguing with his roommate. Saturday taught you how to skateboard and taught you how to play lacrosse. Saturday was easy going and kind. Saturday cared about you and Saturday teased you. Saturday hated Tuesday and Saturday tried so hard to protect you. Saturday was your classic "boy next store" story. Then Saturday caught feelings, but you didn't. Saturday would go to the ends of the earth to help you out, and he has many times. But you don't owe Saturday anything. You don't owe him for the hours you've spent in his room or the nights you've stumbled in drunk. Because dammit you are independent and would have survived without his help. Saturday needed you to need him but you didn't. Even though you tried hard to let your guard down and be needy. Saturday isn't what you're looking for, but in the process of realizing that you lost a wonderful friend. 

Part 1

Lulling water conversation
A back and forth like the tide
In and out

Icy wonder fills lungs to the brim again,
Accepting that freezing bath,

Complete submersion.
And final relaxation.

How old friends can do that -

What an amazing feat this world is.
And what an amazing feat that this world could be.

3/17/2015
Riley Welch

Still Thinking

I try to accept that realization

That everyone you interact with has an entire life. 

Just like you do. 

Like four million pieces,

Seconds on seconds on seconds - 

Building to form the being before me.

But it's a hard thing to process,

That they are not just a piece,

In a board game

Named after you.

Every face a player of it's own life

Which moves at the same pace as yours.

And greater than that is the thought

That one death nearly collapsed me,

And millions die each day,

And each one might collapse

Someone else. 

3/14/2015

Riley Welch

Wet

Rain poured rough on the rusty edges of the roof.
I worried about it's collapse
And also about all the drowning insects.
But it wasn't really my spot.

3/9/2015
Riley Welch

Favorite Fridays

This week's post is five in a series of seven, the rest of which can be seen in the last few weeks of Favorite Friday posts.

The author has asked to remain anonymous. 

Friday came on a summer night when you were hurricane-ing your way through a many-layered plan of revenge. Isn't that always how it happens? When you were with Friday you were jaded and mad at someone else. You knew Friday would be there for you because he always was. He held you when you cried and tried to make things better. He watched you ride around on a scooter until you fell and then cleaned up your knees. Friday was one of the nicest people you ever met. He was calm and levelheaded and calmed you down when things got rough. Then Friday kissed you and you didn't feel anything but you kissed him back anyway. Because in your mind it would hurt someone else. But in the end, you only hurt Friday and yourself. Because you used sweet gentle Friday to get revenge on a boy who didn't care. You led him on and cast him aside then you left the next day and never saw him again. You hurt yourself because you were wracked with guilt and disappointment. Guilt because you hurt Friday, and disappointment because you realized the extent of the monstrosity you had become. Last week you were an innocent child who wanted to do right. But Tuesday passed, and hardened your heart and created the storm brewing inside you. But despite all the darkness, in a weird twisted way, Friday taught you that you still had a conscience. 

July - August

Dear old friend,

You taught me lack of judgment -

And that wild happiness came in the form of dew drops running in silence off folded flower edges.
And you also told me about
rolling laughter,
Coming off tongues
Light easy.

Even with Hot Fog swelling against the back of your throat
As you did.
Telling you there was a lot to cry about
And less for laughter.

---

And about perfumed sprays
That clog up noses.
And how gangly fingers can remind
me of you.
Even though they didn't really matter.

Back flips and tucks.

Hard work.

---

And especially
Getting up the next day
And acting like it was all
fine.
Because the world doesn't stop
just because you do.

Thank you.

3/8/2015
Riley Welch

Not Too Badly

Falling asleep
Under starlit
Daydreams
Wash over my brain
Send me to sleep
Happiness glinting off white bright teeth.
Go.

Silk flowing finger tips
Grant something new.

2/28/2015
Riley Welch

Affected

Things are constructed of pieces section by section.
Nothing appears to us immediately.
As a whole.
Little by little.
Things that at first were nothing.
Will then turn into master pieces.
Our minds couldn't have been capable of processing the first blocks.
But as a whole it comes together in perfect harmony.
Confusion rebooted.
Crystal clear.
Like words straight lines when you see through that lens.

2/28/2015
Riley Welch

Favorite Fridays

This week's post is four in a series of seven, the rest of which can be seen in the last few weeks of Favorite Friday posts.

The author has asked to remain anonymous. 

Thursday came in an environment charged with tension and animosity. You and Thursday were friends and bonded over hatred of another. Thursday always said hi to you and always hugged you at parties. Thursday looked like he had soft hair and pretended he was a good person. He kissed you and everything was right with the world. He was flirty and sexy and knew just what to say. You stargazed on the lawn and that night the heavens opened up and the starts were shining just for you. He made sure you were safe and left you craving more.  But then Tuesday talked to Thursday and ruined and chance you had. The infatuation with Thursday ended at a Christmas party when you broke another’s heart and simultaneously realized you still had feelings for Tuesday. Thursday taught you that drunken lust and feelings are not the same thing, a lesson you should have learned a while ago.