Tell Me a Story

Tell me a story. Like the one where
you could reach for the moon &
cradle it in your palms, & when you
smiled as the luminescence fluttered
in between your fingers.

Tell me a story. Like the one where
all the children were crying but
you sang them to sleep, your 
voice soft like butter.

Tell me a story. Like the one where
you were told to sit but you chose
to stand. & even though they yelled
at you, you held your head high.

Tell me a story. Like the one where
you were left out in the cold, teeth
chattering & shedding enamel, 
but you continued to walk to find
shelter.

Tell me a story. Like the one where
they laughed at you for being 
different but you held the tears
until you came to mama's chest.

Tell me a story. Like the one where
you searched the blue sky but you 
couldn't find the sun, & you 
searched the night sky but you
couldn't find the stars.

Tell me a story. Like the one where
your heartbeat stopped
   
        but then restarted once again.