The Body by Retta Lewis

How I moved away from the body on the ledge,
When I had wanted to do nothing more than perch beside it—
As I had vowed to do—
Is the story of my transformation.
 
On a road I saw her take,
I had followed.
Whatever was to be her destiny
Was going to be mine, too.
Whatever was waiting on the other side of these steps,
We would meet together.
 
Everything behind me
Was fading from my thoughts.
I was bothered by nothing
That I would leave behind.
I was already letting go.

I’ve thought a million thoughts since then,
And of all that came between—
The violent screams,
And flailing arms
That signaled a mother’s plea.
 
I could see it in her face,
And before she spoke, I knew.
I didn’t recognize her in that moment,
And I won’t pretend I understood.
 
My last look was a view of her
Against a backdrop of collapsing images,
And moments out of time.
 
No longer answering to the hour;
Unencumbered by thoughts
Of those who would travel with her,
And on her way, at last.

About the Poet:

Two of Retta Lewis’ poems were recently accepted by CC&D magazine.  She has, also, been published in Ephemeral Elegies, Caveat Lector, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, Ariel Chart, Academy of the Heart and Mind, Rigorous, and Penumbra Online.  Some of her work has appeared in past journals such as:  Onionhead, Wide Open Magazine, Free Focus, and Up Against the Wall Mother.  She works in a field devoted to the prevention of Domestic Violence.