have you ever held something so tightly
that tiny soft red blisters bulged on quietly
when it was yanked away from your fist?
have you ever clawed your way on a cliff
with nothing but your bare tender fingers
not feeling the remains of bursted blisters?
have you ever ran towards the fire
forgetting everything before the reminder
that you, too, was once a tender dreamer?
12.4.2020
Ralph with Coffee 