for Lynne
1.
There
is a voice that says
“You don’t belong here.”
that says
“Your voice is not welcome here.”
that says
“This is my home. Not yours. Get out.”
2.
Here
is another voice
that calls
“Bullshit” on the first voice
that urges “Fight”
urges “Protest”
demanding to be heard
and always
“Speak truth to power.”
and often
“Love wins.”
3.
Why
is yet another voice
saying
“Fuck all this human crap.”
and
“I really just want a hug and
to lay down in the soft grass.”
also,
“I need a nap.”
4.
Why not?
Why not
allow sweet release
lay down in the grass
take that nap
whenever she offers herself to you?
5.
Now
is presence
within which all the voices breathe
and move and heal
and move and heal and breathe
even more deeply
6.
That I am,
at moments,
all the voices
is uncertain.
That I am
presence, on the other hand—
Wow,
one infinite now,
within which everything
breathes and moves and heals—
is, when I notice it,
both strange and certain.
7.
When I am uncertain,
usually curiosity
is the best response.
That, or answering
my own “Why nots?”
with fun or awkwardness
or blessed weirdness.
When I am certain,
all response, period,
is a kindness.
1.
Unless
I’m fighting for this one, small, immediate and precious life.
Then, by all means
shut the door
kick the asshole out.
2.
regroup
heal
move
breathe more deeply
maybe listen again to Audre Lorde
hear her say again,
“Poetry is not a luxury.”
so maybe next time
you’ll feel strong enough
to invite him in
be so present
that he, too, can breathe, heal.
He is my neighbor, after all.
3.
The devil is just a myth.
I am not
4.
but I forget that.
So here I am again
following my footsteps
raising my hands up, and
turning the wheel.