Bryan O'barr
Stop
I hear a song come on while I’m at the wheel I daydream.
The leaves blow in the trees along the road I doze.
A patch of red flashes and I hit the brakes, I come to a stop.
A cardinal flits from its perch
A streak of light in the air.
The wheels begin to turn again.
Another song takes my attention
The world slows
I pass another car, it flashes red.
I stop again and look back,
The car revs down the street.
I turn off the radio.
My mind wanders in the woods this time Along the dirt trails.
I take a long blink,
Red light flashes again.
I pull over.
I get out and walk to the bench,
Taking a seat and a breath.
The sun wraps me and the birds chirp. The day is calm.
Encrypted Stone
Large, granite wall,
Encrypted with writing,
Filled with names.
I stare on in what seems a lamplight Muffled murmurs pillow your black shores.
Carved names,
A displayed wreckage in the water How far are we in the sea of time. Yet I hear you
whisper in
my ears,
Your names rush through in rapid fire. Like trying to catch wind with my bare hands I
see your
smiles,
I share one with you.
I know you for a moment and then You whisp away.
When I leave the pressure ceases
And the light returns.
I shake my head and turn around
But the granite wall is gone.
Tide pod
It was another part of me in the trash
That felt like a recycle.
The washing of clothes again
When they don’t come out quite right.
The in-between of the perfect snow and dry ground. That slop that reminds you it’s leaving.
It’s like falling on your back
When the air gets forced out of you.
Gasp again, try for a sweet breath of air. This middle ground,
This no man’s land,
This shoulder of the road,
Is just another path along the way.
Even it needs to be occupied from time to time, else it would get lonely too.
Maybe next time it’ll come out right.
But for now just throw the laundry back in and watch it tumble and turn.
BIO
Bryan O’Barr is a sophomore at UCM majoring in English Literature with a minor in Military Science. Bryan looks to commission as an officer in the US Army upon graduation through UCM’s ROTC program. Aside from English and ROTC, Bryan participates on the UCM Cross Country and Track & Field teams and is also a leader in UCM’s FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) chapter.