Doppelganger

 

like a burden the road curved

almost solitary except for

scattered remnants that lay

lethargic against the world

i stood on restless gravel

and the slant of trees

kept me lop-sided

at one point i arrived

at a fence and the watchman

departed, i could not pass

i looked to the other side

with envy and some loss

imagining that someone

would unlock the path

subverted i pressed my chest

against the steel unwilling

to repent and return

strange that i did not know

what was on the other side

nor care, but i needed to pass

i turned and walked back a little

saw a forked tree and said a prayer

uncertain of its destination

one of me on the other side