Ode to the Callous

While walking with you
a blister formed on my heel. 
As I walked along your path, 
that blister would not heal.

As we continued walking together, 
a tough multi-layered callus formed.
Soon our walking was a duty, 
but I felt no pain and credited the callus.

Eventually I walked alone 
with only the callus to buffer the pain. 
Finally walking your path 
became merely a calloused chore . I stopped.

Today that ugly, crusty, brown callus
fell off and left no pain. 
Now I’m free to feel and 
I promise I’ll go walking again.

Sylvia Edwards

Promise

Someday, I’ll write a long elaborate, elegant, epic,
But not today.

Sylvia Edwards

Permafrost

His 
   promises
fell
like
love blossoms
onto
a frozen wasteland

as her
tears 
of fear
glazed
in a glistening 
shell.

Never
will
she
consider
the consequences 
of a thaw.

Sylvia Edwards