Mid-Stride Revelation
A Comedy of Errors in Motion
Wait, did I leave the oven on or
no, that was yesterday, today is
what day is it? My mind keeps losing track
like keys that vanish the moment you need them.
Walking somewhere that felt important
five minutes ago, though my feet
have apparently signed a different contract
than my brain, which wanders off
to consider whether my third grade teacher
still remembers my name.
Left foot, right foot, small panic,
repeat. The grocery list in my back pocket
crinkles with each step, a paper heartbeat
reminding me I forgot something
important. Or maybe everything important.
Somewhere between wondering
why we park in driveways and drive on parkways
and realizing I've been walking
in circles around my own thoughts,
I catch myself nodding seriously
at a statue like we're old friends
discussing the weather.
My mother used to say I'd lose my head
if it weren't screwed on. She was right,
though she never mentioned
my shadow would try to walk away
from me, embarrassed by association
with someone who can't remember
if they're heading to the store
or running from last week's mistakes.
Probably both.
A cardinal lands nearby, tilts its head
the way my grandmother did
when she was trying to understand
why I complicated simple things.
I want to explain, but the bird
flies off before I find the words.
Maybe that's the answer
sometimes you have to trust your feet
to carry you where your heart
already knows you belong,
even when your head is busy
arguing with the statue.
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.
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Comments (4)
Those last six lines were so deep! Gotta trust my feet to bring me where I need to be. Loved your poem!
This is delightfully disoriented in the most poetic way.
Excellent. There’s a lot going on here. Yet it all flows together “Trust your feet,” what a poignant and meaningful line. This one sticks. Great poem!
Entirely too relatable. 👏