imagine you want to cross the border
and deeper into and up
into Europe
the nearest black line on the map is 50 km away
as birds fly
from the camp you are staying in
a human walks 5 km per hour
on a straight path
on a full stomach sleep and water
so you must walk at least 10 hours
but in addition avoid being seen on the roads
you must cross the open landscape
where land owners are less concerned with the law
which is why you must choose to avoid the roads
actively choose to avoid being shot in the landscape
and when you arrive you must be clear-headed
to attempt crossing over
you should not have to worry
how will it go how will it go
you have to coach yourself all the way
narrow focus on an act you cannot
prepare yourself for
to achieve the goal you envision
for you can not go back
can not voluntarily return to the camp you left
from which you will not willingly be returned
to the circumstances you departed
there is only forward
imagine what you will do
when superior forces stop you
then you stop
when superior forces look to the side
you run
or run in droves with others in the hope that
some will get across
and if you do not get across
you simply imagine doing it again
imagine there is nothing but that
because there is
nothing but that
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When I read this poem, I’m with you in your flight, fear and acceptance of the barest of facts. “Superior forces…because there is nothing but that.” That says it all.