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author’s note:
Realism.
THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE
A wise one once told me
I’d eventually find a magical world
by walking down this path.
So I set off with great hope, vowing never to give up.
But after many years
filled with many thrilling trials
today, I encountered an obstacle
seemingly insurmountable:
I found myself at the edge of a steep cliff
with a deep dark chasm below.
I could see the path continued
on the far side of the gap—
the trail spiraled up a mountainside.
But how could I possibly cross?
I’d been told
not to deviate, but to stay on this track
and meet its challenges.
Had I been tricked?
Then a low voice unknown to me
echoed up from the depths of the canyon:
“The higher the cost, the greater the gift,”
the voice murmured.
“Try and you will find
a foot bridge before you—
its invisible ropes
and invisible boards
will support your weight.
To reach your magical place
you must cross this magical bridge.”
Though I demanded more information
my words fell into
a silent void.
The epitaphs of those who test reality
often tell us:
“He died a foolish death.”
But after walking this path for so long
I preferred to die like a fool
rather than go back, feeling defeated.
So I stuck out my foot
and searched around with my toes
until I felt something solid—
something like a board—
then I extended my hand
until I touched an unseen rope.
I’m not sure how much time has passed
since I took that first step.
I think now I must be at least halfway across.
But maybe not.
Unfortunately, curdles of fog came in
and hid everything—including the mountain.
Cloud has crept all the way up to my armpits—
maybe it’ll swallow me whole.
How long must this test go on!
I can’t stop my sensible knees from shaking—
they say to me:
Any moment you could slip.
Any moment you could trip.
Any moment you could fall and be lost forever.
But though I can’t make peace with my knees
I can still make peace in my head.
I’ve now decided
to love my decision—
I will, even if I fall—
all the way down
I will praise myself
for being willing to risk everything
on a magical trek of discovery.
How Can I Live In This World?: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2026, Michael R. Patton
author’s note:
We’re all on the same team. But right now, it looks like we’re losing.
COMMON ADVENTURE
I wanted adventure
and though my resume
may seem rather tame
adventure I have had—
I’ve endured many rocky seas
while walking on dry land.
Every day I work hard
to calm my waters down—
a challenge compounded
by the turbulence
I see and hear and feel
all around—
everywhere
I see people struggling
to stay on their feet
as the waves grow wilder.
And the waves grow wilder
because we shake with fear
as the waves grow wilder.
Our dragon breathes beneath the surface.
Yes, quite an adventure!
But what could be the purpose of this trip?
Based my own experience
I now believe:
We came into this world to build our strength.
How Can I Live In This World?: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2026, Michael R. Patton
author’s note:
I was trying to come up with something for Valentine’s Day.
TWO NERVOUS PEOPLE COMFORT EACH OTHER
As gray clouds gather
we find ourselves without shelter
in a bare open field.
And so, desperate for comfort
I embrace you and you embrace me.
And as we hold each other I discover
you tremble just as I tremble.
So I try to ease you down
with calming words—
the same words you use
as you try to calm me.
But
my words can’t convince you
and your words can’t convince me
not to worry about our safety.
And so, we continue to tremble.
But at least now
we don’t shake quite as much.
Ironic, I guess:
despite our nervousness
we’re still able to comfort each other a bit.
No, we can’t convince our bodies
not to fear for their survival
as we stand beneath this threatening sky.
But as I hold your body next to mine
I can feel your spirit
just as you can feel my spirit
as you hold my body next to yours.
And so in this moment
we both realize:
even if our bodies fall
you and I, we will survive.
How Can I Live In This World?: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2026, Michael R. Patton
author’s note:
To all the twilight lovers out there.
AT TWILIGHT I BECOME A DOG
This evening walking home from the woods
a wandering dog spoke me with its eyes
saying:
Like so many humans, you seem to love twilight.
Why?
After a moment of reflection
I arrived at this explanation:
“As the sunlight evaporates
and darkness filters in
“as trees shade into silhouettes
and the distance grows obscure
“the familiar becomes unfamiliar
and suddenly
I’m not so sure of my steps.
“So to compensate
I open my eyes and ears
and in that state
of heightened sensitivity
I again sense
the strangeness of this place I inhabit
“and again realize
our mundane world
is always infused
with a world unseen.
Or rather:
the two are always one.
“Ironic, yes—
in my unease
I experience wonder again.”
At the end of this spiel
the dog wagged its tail
and said with a grin:
You have good instincts, my friend.
Maybe someday
you’ll be brave enough
to hear and see and feel
as dogs do all day long.
How Can I Live In This World?: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2025, Michael R. Patton
Michael Patton
sky rope (subterranean rappel) 