Renewal

How can I sum up in words the way you make me feel
How can I adequately convey the way
I let you
stroke the paintbrush across the expressions on my face adding layers
and years
to this once simple sketch
You are what allows others to interpret
this complicated sculpture
in the way of their liking
You’ve hidden my words in the dark corners of my own mind
and filled the empty space with your tongue
You’ve hidden virtue
in the places I am now too afraid to enter

As you imitate the willow leaves
with your hands
You then steal my breath too
My heartbeat then seems to resemble that of the Quaking Aspens—
not sure if the leaves are applauding or trying to scare you away

As Spring rolls back around
and the soil becomes fertile again my youth will be renewed

I will then
pick
peel
scratch
and tear
at the scabs you have created
I will allow the wounds to be open and allow nutrients to flow directly in I will allow the river to
enter my body
Travel through my blood flow
reaching all ends, all dark corners

The cancerous cells will be eliminated
and the dirt and dust that has built up
will be flushed through my legs and released from my
toe nails

This process will repeat itself over and over
until I am run weak again
until it no longer becomes about you
until the bread no longer tastes like you,
until the covers of my bed are not your embrace
until my first step and last step are not towards you.

With that nutrition, rest, and practice...
I will be renewed.


-2018