The World Is Larger Than My Suffering (But Not Much)

by Barrett Warner

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You could drive to the end of me
then get out and walk the rest of the way.
 
It’s a long walk, but totally do-able.
 
Ten miles past all the husbands and mistakes,
and the anger I feel about my poor tooth.
 
No one wants my advice, they only want me to care.
 
A bronze obelisk commemorates
the location where my suffering ceases to be.
 
It was first discovered in 1967.
 
I visit often to whisk water and scrub out
graffiti hearts and initials.
 
A squat limestone wall protects vandals
from tumbling down the cliff into rocky seas.
 
To be honest I’ve never swam
in the mighty roll and crack and crash.
 
The only thing I do with saltwater is gargle.