there's an alternate universe
where i never knocked on that red door.

there's an alternate universe
where i rang the doorbell.

Some souls are tethered loosely,
At the slightest breeze their rope becomes undone
And up they soar.

Scattered books and pens
A noose hanging from the roof
The ink running dry

I am a tiger and a fawn.
The she-wolf that screams to the moon at dusk
And the meadowlark that whistles to the sun at dawn.
I am darkness and I am light
Flipping my tangled hair to the cascading stars at night
Lifting my hands in prayer, releasing the morning birds to flight.
And I will protect them,
These birds of freedom.
I will carve their songs
Deeply into my heart
And set aside a space
Where the cruelty of this world
Cannot, ever, tear them apart.
So laugh my little children,
And sing your songs of glory,
You are safe
You are heard
And you are worthy.

last night i woke
early.
an old woman was going
gardening and i felt you drip
from a dream through my
ears and onto my
pillow