Bells 🔔

My ears are ringing

The call comes from beyond the trees

A skyline of ivy’s and reddened leaves

A bronze sun—dappled light filtered through

running barefoot—sticky with maple

this dress flows like an autumn breeze—but I scrape my knees climbing redwood trees

my ears

are

RINGING!

and I can’t outrun the wolves nor the shepherd

this wool is heavy

this dress is torn

I can’t outrun the wolves nor the shepherd

the bells

the bells toll

And time slows

The redwoods bow their heads

and I’ll be caught red-handed or ivory maddened

I can’t outrun the wolves nor the shepherd

MY EARS.

ARE ALWAYS.

RINGING.

the call comes from inside

between the ears

between the ribs

beneath the sternum

I can’t outrun the shepherd

my ears will ring

Until I answer the call