We, born strong, a known miracle, believed in our birthright
Demanded what we’d earned
Respect of our hearts
When wolves came around
We’d thought them our friend — having been made from the same dust and all
When their howling happened, tables turned, teeth exposed
We’d respond not in-kind, but with kindness
Hoping hindsight would cause us to laugh
How many more times is unclear
How long before hope would recede, who can know?
And so, we ate the Apple
Believed the serpent, absorbed the poison
Until at some future point, we’d bleed out and walk whole
In the afterlife
We ask, all the more demanding and kind
Please beware our now sharp teeth
Piece of some screenplay.
Hoped it was a script, I did.
But no — it’s your life.
Put it all out there
Graffiti the walls of all the world with all the goodness you can possibly stuff into your every carbon footprint
Yes, your every breath
Send it marching onward, channeled outward
With unabashed hope
With unrealistic expectation, yet with none at all
Believe some force shall, some being must
Carry it all straightaway
To the doorstep, that heart of the other
Knock it will, but know
There may be no answer
But the walls, the world, the carbon, that doorstep
That heart
Needed your work nonetheless
So you remain the same
On look out
Why, I?
Wanting her, Liberty
Freedom from all the ways I’ve done her wrong
Or forgiveness
Her eyes, corroded-coppery
Bore one capital “L” unto mine skin
“A Mighty Woman,” I was warned
And so I came, tired
And she welcomed me
And I extinguished her, still
Before begins the countdown
A single opportunity abounds
Surely you see it
Before I seek a new galaxy
The last simulation
The door closing
Before bedtime today
Knock, You
I’ll deny the universe begging
Omnipresent ache
Your absence upon my eyes
My hope you’ll return
Cinderblock
‘neath antique doors
All painted pretty
Chipping away
Year after year
Facing Nor’easters
Hoping against hope
An honest wind
A gentle brush
Come calling home
Could there be more heav’nly sounds
More clear-cut answer to prayer
As these wondrous crickets’ songs
Bless the lonely air
Tear-stained girl, lovesick boy
“Keep the hope,” ’tis said
This night, they’ll keep you company
Their concert voids the dread
This is my why
Forever the reason why
I wanted
I wanted us
Light
Together
Nights together
As Together People do
The hour didn’t matter
Just when midnite rolled around
I could reach and humbly find
My You
LisaRosier.com 