Author: Elizabeth Maynard

No, I cannot be
the Empress of Everything
you must grow up now

How many days now
until you lift up your eyes
to see day breaking?

They were there for a hundred years
or a thousand, it's all the same
when we think of wood and stone
the sun's rising and setting
and the wind rustling
every green thing

To excavate yourself
you must dig deep
but ever slowly
so you don't discard
the tiny fragile bones

These flowers never fade
woven gently and forever
across your table
remind you each morning
of spring, of summer
even in the depths of winter

You will be amazed
at how little you need
when you know
you could have everything

Hold a fragile thing too tight
and soon you will find
only dust or dew
in your trembling hand

I was so distracted
unsure how to even listen
to your heart
beating in my chest

Leave yourself alone
long enough to know your heart
and do it justice

I could rehearse every slight
mount my defenses
ward off future incursions
or just remind myself
to stay away
from every soul
that does not love