By Deborah Olatunji | Design by Tyler Kliem
i'm trying to allow space
for the wide variety of stories, experiences,
and people and feelings
this–an open window pane
engulfing possibilities of hope
and unwilted love
keeps the heart beating
the breath shaking
ey
e
contact off kilter
i hold it–
the breath
in this space
reminding myself to
u n f u r l,
u n w i n d
u n
con den
s a te
allowing for the new season
to transform the
lifescape
to learn of E N V Y
and make a necklace
of her
a garland to declare
care and desire
rather than a bonfire of forbidden
want
ing
to want is to live
it comes to me like night these days
the day
STreTChes and Y
A
W
N
S
and lays down in my mind
illuminating it all
so to respond means
l o o k i n g at the
light
where
all meaning l i e s
both in the gleam of strangers
and in the hopes
of mothers
for without fear,
how can we know love?
her
gentle
whisper
dra w i n g u s o u t of s l e e p
o p e ning
the nervous system to acknowledge
how essential nerve endings are
to anatomical
b e g i n
n i n g s
telling me that my joy and novelty can be fueled
without dietary hierarchy
a full balanced meal of greenery,
starch kindness and
a glass of courage, un-curdled
I'm saying
I don't need to be full
I just want to taste of this place
unceremoniously
and instantly mundanely
my breath settling into a c o m f o r t a b l e s i g h
as I look up to you
afraid and alive
but heart-centered and hopeful
of all that is to come
The Woodlands 