(Sara Chong, 2015)

Ode to Everman

Twice two times once a second
two times

A return twin fates
intertwined destinies

Surviving on one-two one-twos
hut
hurt

A tale
two
to beat the best of them

Twice raucous then silent then silent
beating always syncing
together as one
as you are

Boom time rolling rowing
a peace tensed at best
apiece each hand

Arms
holding
holding off hanging on

Impossible whispers
now merely silence

Armed
holding
beating beating away

Hounded
haunted
shadows long and lingering

Grinding
tales of possibility
possibilities

Safe now
saved possibly

By the twice
two times
almost always arriving

Arrived
Lim Lee Ching
Singapore
July 2013

***

This poem first appeared in the 10th incarnation of One Imperative, ‘Tune’ which can be found here: http://www.oneimperative.com/2013/09/10-tune/