Revolution and Ribbons

Break free, little girl,

don’t let them bind ribbons too often.

Your hands should never be restrained,

and don’t let them convince you that it wasn’t terrifying

if your memories are indeed frightening.

Don’t allow them to steal your song or your voice, to tie your hands in knots.

 

Break free, little girl.

Let the dollhouse await you while you prepare revolutions.

Don’t let them tear apart the clouds,

don’t let them blow on your eyelashes.

Let fathers protect you,

let mothers shield you.

 

Break free, little girl.

Light a torch and carry your light.

Wherever you go, may everything thrive,

may the essence of your nine lives blossom,

and let wild poppies sprout from your feet,

as vines reach toward the sky from your eyes.

 

Break free, little girl.

Let both physics and poetry be close to you.

Don’t be convinced that joy is for the superficial;

joy has always saved us—remember, joy.

Not ribbons and bows—

break free, little girl.

Let the fire of life blaze within you.

Eternity

 

I placed a magnolia in the hair,

to remind me that springs will come always,

when we are frightened,

when we are relieved,

when we are prepared,

when we are happy – and when we burst out of our skin.

I sent a kiss to the heavens to remind me

that there are more important,

more beautiful,

more magnificent things

than the ones that bend our backs.

I kissed your dreamy eye

to remind me

that the universe is under your eyelid

and I am it’s pupil.

 

– Magnolias have bloomed

even in the time of the dinosaurs –

you whisper to me

– they are the closest

to what we call eternity.