I’m molting

Shedding haphazardly and with
intention
depending on the day

I’m curious 
wondering what
will grow in next

Feathers jewel toned or silvered
Shiny scales smooth or gently textured, 
inviting you to brush your fingertips 
lightly across them

I’m musing on which
spells or incantations
learned or improvised
I might whisper or chant
to shape 
my new incarnation
plain and bejeweled
soft and fluffy
lined and spotted
strong and supple

until I molt again

This metamorphosis is not for you

I am a pitcher pouring cool water into your cup

I am a clock taking its own time

I am a spiral staircase stepping up to the stars

I am the stitching of the quilt that you snuggle underneath

I am a match determined to ignite 

I am a curl standing out from the crowd

I am a bear defending every cub

I am the opalescent wings fastened on 

so I can fly

I am a rivulet of strawberry ice cream dripping pinkly down the side of a waffle cone

I am a pair of dice rolling the 

wrong combinations

I am a broken heart that’s tender to the touch

I am a puddle showing you your reflection

I 

I am a pitcher pouring cool water into your cup

I am a clock taking its own time

I am a spiral staircase stepping up to the stars

I am the stitching of the quilt you snuggle underneath

I am a match determined to ignite 

I am a curl standing out from the crowd

I am a bear defending every cub

I am the opalescent wings fastened on 

so I can fly

I am a rivulet of strawberry ice cream dripping pinkly 

down the side of a waffle cone

I am a pair of dice rolling the wrong combinations

I am a broken heart too tender to touch

I am a puddle showing your reflection

I am a third door opening to a different world

I am the sunlit clearing when you emerge from the woods

I am buttery words spilling off the page like tight kernels bursting into hot popcorn 

I am sometimes the salt

You shared only your
smoothest prayers
sent them sailing
on the winter wind
through moonless night skies
from where you sit in the universe
to the small space
I occupy tonight
in an unfamiliar room
our momentary home 

On their way
from you to me
they glided into the
open hearts of
all the gods and goddesses
who whispered them aloud
and with strong and
gentle hands
surrounded us
with love

I would get lost on a path

I would get wet under a roof

I would be jolted awake by silence

No one else can come to the rescue

It’s just me vs. the jackhammers 

the narcissists the black holes the ignorant

the sirens and the mass of melting neurons 

My cup has been emptied

Every drop leaking out before

I can bring it to my lips

I know I am not the only casualty

The brilliant rainbow and the fluffy white clouds are littered with bodies

I am not special

But I once was

I won’t make that mistake again
plenty of others are ready
and waiting for me
to stumble into

Naive
Optimistic
Guileless, as they once accused of being
I didn’t understand then
how that could be a bad thing

Or maybe I will repeat that mistake
because I can’t help myself
because I want to believe
in what’s good