Beneath Familiar Ground
Guidance for the Fragile Path Ahead
Effective immediately,
Everyone is advised to proceed with caution.
The path ahead is uneven,
marked by unseen fractures beneath familiar ground.
Do not ignore the signs,
the subtle shifts in light,
the sudden silence where noise once lived.
Movement here requires vigilance,
not just of the steps taken,
but of the pauses between them.
It is forbidden to rush,
to demand certainty where none can be guaranteed.
Unpredictability is now the standard.
Adaptation, not resistance, will ensure survival.
Please report any anomalies observed,
the cracks widening in walls,
the sudden absence of faces once known.
Your observations are valuable,
even if they carry the burden of worry.
This notice serves as both warning and invitation,
to recognize the fragile balance beneath routine,
to respect the silent desperation that shapes this moment.
Failure to comply may result in loss,
not only what your eyes may see,
but of the connections that hold us together.
This is not merely a directive,
but a plea for care in the fragile construction of everyday life.
Proceed with awareness.
Proceed with heart.
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
Tim is an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. He writes about rural life, family, and the places he grew up around. His poetry and essays have appeared in Bloodroot and Coal Dust, his latest book.


Comments (1)
I think yours is going to beat my entry 😅