A wide, unwavering band that binds
Advertise it in the stars
As an Orion’s Belt to warn
The unsuspecting
Wholly unwilling
Now repentant, unintentional prey
A stance in arms-crossed
Body language clear and bright
As a banner, broadcast
In social contract, we dance
Lest a heart meander beyond
Boundaries, damn it, boundaries!
I decorated myself with you
Reached, but in no way grasped
Sprinkled you about me
Without the care whether or where
You landed
Beautifully, making a mess
Twice, I was asked incredulously
Is this safe
Now
That I’ve taken care of others’ cares
All that’s left is me
The leftover me
Who looks less delicious
Than yesterday
Who, though feeling frozen
Is already prepared
And is worthy
Of my own gratitude nonetheless
It would be as if some wild mass
One that’d further made me joyous
Crashed into me
Then died
Once God’s plan’d
Crashed into it
And I, now differently affected
Was forced to continue
Unmoved
As if
Last eve’ I almost
Felt the musings of my heart
Venture from my lips!
Looking up from the down
My eyes
Having been temporarily imprisoned
I matter-of-factly acknowledged The Light
It had been there all the while
And I knew It
(Sunrise Over Lake Michigan, Milwaukee)
A song exists
Not yet written
Waiting to be performed
Blank sheet music pages
Stacked neatly near my soul
Rustling now
My hand swift to assure
Notes forming from the void
Lyrics beginning to choose a voice
Sweet-sad violin
A torrent of dissonance
At last, it’s final note
Wafting far and heaven-ward
What chord progression with this?
Truth gives way
From the most distant place
Near-silent to crescendo
Cello
With what gloves do you handle
Your mother
The one who wonders at you
What pieces of your heart do you hold
For her alone
Will you rise to all she knows you are
And meet her at her pace
Catch her if you can!
With what boots do your walk upon
Your mother
The one who provides for you
What segment of your sinew do you share
For her creatures
Will you champion her air and terroir
And give your dying breath
Back from whence you came!
Is this sinking or rising
Or the most poisonous kiss
Is it headache or lovestruck
Or dream paralysis
Is it boot spurs or silver lining
Or ricochet talk
Is this school days or nowadays
Or someone else’s walk
Plowing through the wonder of if
The if only, the what if
The excitement and heartache of if
The I won’t give up on the if
The I do love you, not the if
Bulldozing down doubt around if
