You used to sing with your whole body—
eyes closed
hands outstretched.
& I’m a little uncertain
why you clasped your fists
& opened your eyes,
& restrained the music in your body.
Maybe it was sobering for you
to embrace great change,
to begin to question
all the truths you once felt
certain of and swayed out of your body.
the music became angry
& your smooth forehead
furrowed  with woe.
There is a silence in the place of
the loud, unapologetic, out-of-tune
vocals that sprung from the core
of your body.
in that cavernous container for the soul.

Manhood now covers the cheerful cacophony of childhood
loudly released with joy.
& childhood would be welcomed to return
if you might sing again.