she knew then
the ways of this world

she knew then
of clenched fists

she knew then
her future
her place
her face, and all the weight that it carried

she knew then
of all the doors shut

she knew
she knew
she knew

of incomparable power

of beautiful strength

of divinity and all that is sacred

of wisdom and benevolence

she knew
she knows
we know


so she straightened her crown and rose

where are we
when we are nowhere

where are we
when we are everywhere

are we?

to be nomadic
here and there yet nowhere

sans frontières

but they are there, aren't they
endless frontiers, ceilings, barriers, hurdles

just let me go
let me jump
up, over, out

escape the labyrinth

I dance my dance
high up in the clouds
and among the stars

here, I am limitless
here, we are infinite

but the Earth is still below us
this world of concrete and precious few jungles

it is omnipotent
or maybe I am

regardless, there it stays
infuriatingly solid
must I return?

five more minutes

these boundless objectives
where will they take me?
am I really steering this ship
is it even a ship?

existence is limitless
equal parts liberating and crushing
maybe we are all Atlas
the weight of the world a daily burden

tell me how
I'll do anything
how did you escape it?

tell me the secret to the radiance of your smile
the cadence of your laugh
the way you dance through life

how did you escape?
I'd love to know
I bet Atlas would too

one night she whispers
she guides me by the light of the fire
there is no escape my dear
only the strength to dance despite

Despite

day after day
sitting on the water
she gazed at herself
around herself
through herself
as the water went on

she knew herself
her limitless, multidimensional self

they don't know ****