Only Ever Onward Poem by Ames Petrossi

there’s no correct way
to tend a soured heart
nothing to do
but let it ferment,
while you recall the buzz
of her hair across your lips
and nights spent sunken
into dog-haired couch
discussing the finer points
of Brandi Carlile
who you’ve seen together
29 times,
sentimental obsession
borne of love and
history so damn stubborn,
lessons in perseverance.
self preservation propels
your bone sore to the core body
down solitary sidewalks
headlong into heavy dust of long work days
and sleepless nights.

now you are wild with sadness,
now you are bogged down, numb
watch your boots descend slow-mo
into the muck
of an accidental creek bank.
part of you wishes
it could swallow you whole,
but
no
you will not succumb
you, life lover, are
a purveyor of paragon
who bears strength like
2 pairs of well worn pants,
there’s no correct way
only
ever
onward.