Peace is a Stone

Peace is a Stone

Thoughts come and go quickly
as do the daily strangers
whose words evaporate like mirages.
Escape is mentally engrained,
though he cannot recall why.

A glimmer of reality
flies past pale eyes.
If only he could chase it far enough
he's sure he could outrun
this confusion, find his peace.

Slipper clad feet shuffle
down to the river's edge.
Wispy, white hair stirs in the breeze
as he tosses rocks into the peaceful current.
Kerplunk, a splash, then calm...

Kerplunk, a splash, then nothing.
A brief thought flashes,
he smiles and nods...yes, peace is a stone.
Down the sun-warmed bank he climbs
inching ever closer to his escape.

As restless water licks his feet
he's suddenly stranded in confusion.
Water doesn't feel like water anymore,
the breeze and sun feel as unfamiliar
as the hands that lead him away.

Holding a stone tightly in his hand,
he sobs, though he cannot recall why.