Friday, August 22, 2014

OF DUST AND THORNS



THE CHANGES OF NIGHT

We walked across the desert kicking up little clouds of dust with each step. Baby you remember how dry the lips got? How good the juice of a prickly pear tasted, you picked the thorns and I ripped it open and squeezed the moisture into your mouth, Lips still too cracked to share a kiss. We didn’t mind, the nights came and we found a way to keep warm, even if it took a couple times. Eventually life got easier, looking at the size of my belly now, I sometimes think I’d like to go back if for no other reason than to confirm the memories, then I remember how much work it took to earn this belly. Deserts are great but then so are three squares and your ass pressed against mine in the soft bed. I am willing to leave youth to the young.

© M Durfee
8.22.2014

25 comments:

  1. No! I refuse to accept that! I want youth forever, even if only in my memories....

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    1. Unfortunately Shadow our youth is all in our memory. I damn near break down and cry every time i see a full frame back pack or see a ship at sea.

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  2. ha. yes, there are def things i would not like to go back to....
    but those deserts teach us much...and build our relationship...and character...

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    1. Brian i could handle reliving 17-28 on a constant loop. But shrug, i too am subject to the whim of time.

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  3. It is in those deserts that we grow (the belly and the spirit). I wouldn't want to go back to mine, but they served a purpose at the time.

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    1. They serve a purpose still if we actually learned and matured with the experiences of youth.

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  4. Yeah, I did spend quite a bit of effort acquiring my belly as well. Not just going to throw it away.

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    1. I could stand to lose a bit of it but for the most part i paid for every inch of it Charles, even the parts i acquired in middle age.

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  5. Young forever...nope. So many of us have made our peace with that. Tomorrow is so long gone and franklu I too do not want it back. It is enough to continue to hike through the life that is left.

    "Deserts are great but then so are three squares and your ass pressed against mine in the soft bed"

    Sweet thought that!

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    1. One day I'll be young forever but not in this lifetime, Melinda, i couldn't carry half the weight on my back as i once did, but then i do know what the weight of memories mans.

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  6. PS: I have mentioned the body mechanics issue to my young friends. In one ear and out the other...it is so hard to listen when your young and your back is strong and you think it will last forever...

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    1. *shrug* They'll learn and by then they'll be saying "I should of listened to Melinda."

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  7. If being young again means living through everything I've endured 'til now, then forget it! Like you said, it was a lot of work. I wouldn't mind getting my body in better shape, though. If only it weren't so much work. :)

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    1. Hahahahaha I keep thinking if i reduce my caloric intake Alice, and that shit doesn't work either. If youth was an endurance, mine was but not too hard to handle, then you're right no need to want it back.

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    2. When I was a kid it drove me nuts when people like teachers insisted that childhood was the best part of life. I was so glad to shed mine, and am still glad. 20's was fun, though. Still, I don't need the agonizing I did then.

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  8. desert dreams ... ya ... cactus flowers ... desert dreams ... ya ... nothing 2 eat but road kill ... desert dreams ... so good ... so good ...

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    1. I knew you'd get it meowmomma, nothing wrong with fresh roadkill as long as it hasn't been out in th sun to long.

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  9. i don't mind revisiting my youth, smiles ~ some things though I will not trade for experience - confidence, courage & making my own destiny ~ have a good weekend Mark ~

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    1. Sadly Grace i revisit my youth often and now i am not sure it really was as awesome as i remember it to be~~~but Grace those things you mention, you acquired through experience eh? Remember honey i am unfortunately retired, i am on the never ending week end.

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    1. Yeah tony some trade off in our age are worth the loss of our youth.

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    1. Erik, c;mon admit it a warm ass pressed up against you is better than a pillow and an good imagination.

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  12. Short and perfect, Mark. One of my favorite pieces of yours. Because I'm a sucker for cracked lips and the soft press of bodies.

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  13. I keep trying to stay young, Mark. No belly here but a few aches and pains. I figure as long as I can do the same stuff I did in my 20's (minus the crazy ass stuff), then I can't be THAT old, right? Just got back in from 3 great days on the boat. It was so good.

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So Walking Man I was thinking...