CATHARSIS: THE RAVEN

one day you will learn
that your energy is sacred
and you’ve too easily given it away
without question
and you will learn that the voices in your head are yours to capture
or let fly and let land on the earth
time always decides
that one day you may dance
and the next you may die
mother of thousands magician of nothing
let’s make time pass slowly
like a watched pot
fresh paint
slowly

i reach out a hand,
full of jambon et fromage
to the raven.
whose cockeyed and unwavering.
moments pass
till what’s left is only wax paper
and greased fingers
i know you would have said stayed
or at least said thank you

if i bought us another round of ham and cheese.
but i’m used to wishful thinking,
and you’re used to flying away.
i come back to that bench between twin oaks.
surefire and this time, apologetic.
i first misunderstood your complexity.
you reminded me,
that i am here to own nothing.
and briefly i thought to capture you
would give me everything
but i cannot capture you
not without you losing your wildness
your essence
you.

and i thought,
how ironic to be the ravens keeper
we are only here to exist briefly
and if our wings collide let it be beautiful
but let us dance in our own time

i am here to own nothing
and that is to have everything