Or Or

It is known through popular wisdom
Or through the dictators of freedom

that we are not free to make mistakes,
free to locate them where freedom dictates.

It is known by any child and its designated adults
from birth or lately acquired,
from families or cults,
unwanted or desired,
that a threat
is everyone that one did and did not meet.

The mason crushes the anemones
to create a poisonous potion.
The florist collects stones
to play throw in the ocean.

the river
is now an old wives' tale
the view from the bridge
just shows gravel and rail

And we go on looking for bridges,
for water or trail
and in the search for rivers
we only find gravel and rail.

A concrete shadow
or grin?
Nothing but her restless yellow
hair in the wind.

and we go on doubting the way we turn the locks
while we hide
from the fear that knocks
and mocks us from the inside.

Diogo Baião