we set off

–

fearless

travelers in tireless pursuit

aware

of the perils lurking

on the periphery

–

baren satchel

bereft of utility

endowed with promise

–

handful of possibility

a crumb

of opportunity

–

making camp

where others fear

to tread lightly

into the fangs and

furnace lit

to bar our path

–

coated in

ash anguish trickling

down furrowed brows

salt rich

perspiration eliciting

wince inducing

stinging

pyretic needles

searing

wide eyes closed

–

gritting our teeth

creaking

grinding

whining

cracking

sickly audible

in our skulls ever present

fear

that our heads will

explode

–

sojourn in polite society

a brief moment among you

til the breeze calls

and like pollen

carried off

to new fields