Lean in to your life.
Turn and strain and reach
towards whatever beauty you can find,
like poppies stalk the sun.
Squeeze the possibility out of the pain.
Eat bright things.
Bite down and crunch and slurp.
Devour them like your last breath,
like the very last sunset.
Don’t be fooled:
The light of life will set on your
face whether you
smile or snarl,
so be clever and wise
and generous with your kisses,
be silly and extravagant
in the chances you take.
Ask for forgiveness
and give it too.
You’re special,
and hurting,
and you’re not the only one.
We can heal each other quietly
while we breathe and bleed.
So why not love me?
Why not let out the hem
of the poison you’ve
carried with you all this time?
Trust the the earth
to do it’s work
and bury your burden.
It was never yours anyhow.
