Photo found HERE
I keep forgetting that I'm more
more
than this aging skin - these hips
these
thighs, this belly growing thicker. More than these calloused feet
that
always, always insist I walk faster, farther
in
some other
direction.
I keep forgetting that I'm more
than
these scars
made
by my own punishing hands - the ones you can see
the
others that run invisible through veins and tired, bleeding inner parts
I
keep forgetting that I'm more than the voices
that
scream can't and never - right
and
wrong
more
than this mind that oozes indecision, this chest that squeezes
tight
- that drops me hard in the shallow
and
hollow of -
I
don't know
I
keep forgetting that I'm only a single breath
away
from breaking free
from
these bars I keep finding myself pressed beneath
a
quiet prayer away from remembering again
that
I was put here to spit it all out
as
prettily or un-prettily as it was and
is
On
this dark airless night
the
strong rock inside begs to be
remembered
invites
me to repeat this verse until moon
smiles
her pretty half smile, until the winged one wakes me
with
her new day kiss
You
came here to hum the truth
that
comes in only your
color
to
sit inside the arms of a moment
to
find breath in each drop of dark, to skip and sip and frolic
with
every fleeting firefly
of
light
You came here to give oxygen to words
to
spin every stain
and
splash
into your
very own flavor
of
poetry
You came here to look into your own eyes and whisper - Beloved
You
did not come here to please, to perform, to protect
to
be better or to be
"liked"
You came here to feel
the
quake, the shake, the thirst - the love
deep in
your rooted center. And, head bowed
arms
spread in surrendered hallelujah! - crawl
skip
fly
tiptoe
forward anyway
and
no matter what
Yes
for
this you came
Yes. This. No words to describe. Feeling this deep down in my bones. This matters. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear friend...thank you.
DeleteHumbling and inspiring, Julia, especially "truth that comes only in your color, " carrying this with me today, all of it, thank you. Sending love. Garrett
ReplyDeleteGarrett - it's such a gift (as always) to hear from you. Knowing you are here reading and appreciating expands things so much for me and strengthens my knowing that it's important to show up and share.
DeleteBiggest blessings to you, dear person.
Yes! For this you came...and how fortunate are we...to know, read, gaze upon the beauty you create, the beauty you are!
ReplyDeleteA single breath, a quiet prayer. I believe yours is my favorite flavor of poetry.
Dear friend, so much love and gratitude.
Aw, Beck...these words from you made me all soft and goosebumpy. I love you, dearly.
DeleteWonderful, Sweetheart. The feeling is a mile deep - a song for our souls.
ReplyDeleteI love you, Dad. Thank you.
DeleteI love you, Julia. Your words thrill and encourage me.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling is very mutual, dear Chris Boatwright.
DeleteThis is so beautiful! <3
ReplyDeleteKarin - blessings to you and so much gratitude. Thank you for continually showing up so fully.
Deleteoh i love this julia. my heart is dancing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Kelli...my heart is dancing with yours! Thank you for this dose of sweetness....medicine for my day.
DeleteJulia,
ReplyDeleteOh this poem.
"You came here to give oxygen to words/to spin every stain /and splash /into your very own flavor/of poetry."
My heart leaps and says “yes” to this!
"You did not come here to please, to perform, to protect /to be better or to be /'liked'"
I needed these words, this reminder.
You are a beautiful soul.
Sending love,
Jenna
wow it's really so beautiful
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister. Well said.
ReplyDelete