Lark
We want to do things well--
to simply get the job done, well.
To bring about inspiration,
motivation,
nurturing,
and demonstration
of how to
listen and observe
and do things
settle things
resolve things well
to never become too old
or expert
too confident or knowledgable
to grow and acknowledge weaknesses
or faults
and to change when it is right
when it is necessary
these are the traits of excellent leaders
good followers
great dancers
best partners
traits that are oftentimes
honed through suffering
experience of loss
intimacy with pain
things that set us apart from the masses
rebar for spines, thrusting up through
the fabric of our bodies
and giving our flesh something across which
to stretch and flex and leverage our power
and
as the years go by
the interior changes
drywall is replaced
fixtures updated,
wings remodeled, expanded
facades renovated until
all that is left of our original selves--
the story that formed the core of our identity
that we fought to unearth
and examine
and test and understand
so that the structure could be designed around it--
is the memory of the pain
Last night she demonstrated that
I do not have to be that person
I can choose to be someone else
to let go of the idea that pain
is all that I have left of me
and let that presence fade into the past
relinquish those supports and identity
and trust that that scaffolding
is no longer necessary
and the trauma is collapsable,
disposable
and that the real magnificent architecture
the next layer of structure--
estate, home, is strong and deeply founded
with steel I-beams of siblings and friends
and mentors and coaches and coworkers
and loves
from across the world
is waiting--
We're past that, darling,
she whispers to my soul,
The soft launch
is done
with a few stutters
and stumbles
But you're ready,
it's time,
take the scissors
hold them with me,
and cut...
