The Compass Has A New True North Poem by Mike Blotzer

That familiar sense of fear and hope
Rises up inside her throat
Like the Phoenix in Stravinsky's soul
And like this mythic bird of flame
What once was now doth not remain
And in her wake: Her youth now lay

For she hath no need to walk around;
Even if there are, as you know, many cracks on the ground
To come upon this paved boulevard.

She carries none of her well earned doubts;
NAY!
She relieves her back from her cumbersome baggage,
And in my eyes she stares with passion,
And in my arms she feels like magic-
With one smile-now I'M who's damaged!

But she mends me
Like a Taylor (sic) mends a suit.

Once, she was so frightened, And I was so bold...
But now I look to her, when I need look toward Home.