Day 496: How We Rise

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∴

we do not rise
as if on ladders
and scales,

climbing,
climbing,
to unearned heights,
despite the hard
and hustled working.

 

we do not rise
by adding on
and adding on –

how could we?

with all that weight
holding us down?

 

we do not rise
by the inflated
affirmations
and approvals
of the infatuated,

for these are bubbles
that lift
and pop
and plummet
the rider.

 

we rise as if on waves,
that sting with salts
and shock with their cold realities.

that send you gasping for breath
as they toss you back in on yourself –

your self,

that preened creature
which eventually,
hopefully,
becomes a drowning mop –

shedding every last garment
to survive.

 

we rise
when we find our buoyancy
in this all.

in this danger,
in this glory,
in this dark abiding sea,

we lose “me”

and find every
more honest
thing.

∴

 

 

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