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Mira Michelle is a member of the Tuesday evening writing practice group. This was her response to the prompt, "Write a set of directions."
first you start off with listening
follow the hi-way of conversation
but notice when I stop breathing
pause there
go no further
use your right and left blinkers to make eye contact
watch for the curve of a smile
enter there
and drive forward
you will have to loop around and around the cul-de-sac
till you find the locked gate
there you must wait
till dusk come with a hush and
a young woman brings a silver key of starlight
and unlocks the passageway
you may enter slowly
the terrain is rough
with debris from past accidents along the road
discarded tires, broken bumpers
no longer effective at keeping anyone safe
watch for shards of glass
and be careful of the trap door
it can be triggered at any moment,
by not listening,
by taking a cell phone call during dinner,
by one harsh word,
then it snaps open its green rotten wood
and out you go
back outside that first locked gate
where you will have to wait once more
for that magic in between moment and the silver key
when you return inside you will find again that tangled garden
I want you to remember you have not yet reached your final destination:
the inner golden sanctuary
keep walking
this garden can be treacherous
full of mirrors and mazes that lead you right back to where you started
the secret to making it through
the foliage and car wrecks and broken reflections
is to gently close your eyes and listen
don't be distracted by the flowery displays around you
or the path with 300 different masks of the same face
smiling, crying, pleasing, angry, passionate
it is up to you to see through them all
listen
this place both longs to be discovered, entered
and yet it is also fiercely guarded
by a she-leopard with four inch long teeth
the secret again is to listen
move slowly
taking one gentle step at a time
follow the sound of soft laughter
it will guide you through the maze
only one who is pure of heart can pass through the final gate
when you reach the entrance
you will notice the gate itself trembles
at each sound, each word spoken, each touch,
gently gently
step through this shimmering white membrane
and enter a place no other man has been
you will find me there
waiting
Mira Michelle is a local visual artist who is discovering her deep love of writing. Her paintings have been published in the We'Moon datebook and calendar. Her work has been showcased with the International Museum of Women. Mira is also an arts educator who has taught art and leadership programs in the public schools. You can learn more about Mira at: www.miramichelleart.com.
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