the possibility

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

inky black water so still it’s like a mirror
straight as a die
the picket fence, countryside
it’s trying to take me to a memory I can’t quite grasp
my eyes lock on a detail
the shape of a branch creates an illusion
of a marquee that isn’t there
and draws me away to Hampstead Heath
art
another time, another place
the possibility up on the hill
but it’s out of reach until I cross the water
sadness
I don’t want to stay in this emotion
it’s not serving me
I try to ignore it and focus back on the inky black calmness
the lights are brighter in the darkness
reflection clearer than reality
upside down the trunks and branches catch my eye
what’s underneath
not the pretty blossoms but the substance and structure
a landing platform and steps to escape
far away and on the other side
I can’t get to them
how do I get to them
I hover my thumb over the branch that creates the illusion
the sadness is gone
a tiny gesture that changes the picture completely
because this isn’t a picture I took
it’s not my reality
it’s a suggestion
permission for my mind to find its own way
I reach for the memory
I’m on the concrete path
with someone else’s dog by my side
my only friend
the stream is straight and narrow
I mustn’t go too far
it’s in my distant past
what makes me turn around and come back each time
is it the end of the path
time
expectation
I’m stuck
I’ve walked this path many times
but the memory is frozen in one spot
I can’t see where the path goes to
only where it came from
the way back
not the way forward
my eyes focus again
suggestion
permission
I look for details I missed before
at the edge of the picture
the water isn’t straight
in the distance it curves round to the right
a tiny thing and then it’s gone
I almost missed it
the possibility
– Lisa Kerr