Sometimes the world gives me
a garland of fears,
a skin-vexing hair shirt,
a bucket of tears.
Sometimes it allows me
ineffable cheer,
the beauty of heavens,
the music of spheres.
Life folds itself ‘round me
in earth-colored gear;
it judges, it praises,
it muddies my clear
with randomly conjured
uncomfortable it
that dares me to conquer
then cows me to quit,
with menacing shadows
that jump at my feet
and drag me through hollows
for dust in the wind.
‘Hey! You awake?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Just checking.’
‘Quit wasting time.’
‘Poet!’
