A way into the forest

I’ve been searching
along the edges
for a way into the forest

the underbrush is woven so thickly together
I cannot see the worms
for the trees.

But they are there.
Just beneath the surface, eyeless creatures
of darkness

death is such a mess
the contents of a box
of personal effects

of sunbleached memories
discarded photographs
lithium ion batteries
that no longer charge.

I’ve been searching for a way into things
the edge is principled
and unyielding

the churn of years
crushed disappointment.

I’ve been searching but mostly
I’ve been walking
along the edges of a heartbeat
softening into silence.