To turn my face up to the sky

And feel the rain with all its pain

To look a dark cloud in the eye

And to say – bring it on again

This is how it must feel

To be bleeding but not slain

To climb a mountain to the top

Look around and claim the view

To have blisters on the feet

And to say – oh I knew

This is how it must feel

To rise up and renew

To look deep into your eyes

And to know I’m not alone

To hear you call my name

Breathing life into a stone

This is how it must feel

To sit on a high throne

To be lost and then found again

To be able to come home

At your feet

I lay down my offerings

I lay down my body

And become your disciple

I lay down my mind

And become your friend

I lay down my heart

And become your lover

I lay down my soul

I become you

I am always talking

Words adorned or tattered

They say it is because I wasn’t heard

When it really mattered

But maybe just maybe

I talk so I can reach out

To anyone who might struggle

Feeling a little left out

Or I talk to just make sure

You know how I feel

Because I know it matters

It can be a big deal

If I long to be loved

Maybe You want it too

If I long to be acknowledged

Maybe You want it too

I talk so I can take away

The hesitation to share

Feel a little exposed

It is okay to care

So agreed that I am broken

Demented in a way

But indulge me just a little

And talk to me today

A lifetime of want

Of longing and need

Needing more

Naked greed

I stare at the flame

And see in its light

The dance of me

And my empty plight

But as I stare longer

A stillness descends

As if me and I

Making amends

The fire is complete

Burning bright

Beyond right or wrong

Fighting no fight

The fire is free

Cares not for an offering

Knows it will burn out

Yet no sad suffering

It burns intense

Yet does not take

I gaze upon it

and a wish I make

I wish for nothing

I want no desire

No want no need

Make me fire

Eyes wide open

Or closed

Mind wide awake

Or dreaming

I feel it in me

And around me

Your presence

I can be in a crowd

Or sitting by myself

I can be the jester in the court

Or the muse to myself

I feel it in my mind

I feel it in my heart

Your presence

We can be together

Or apart

I might see You

Or might not

I feel it woven in me

I feel it in my bones

Your presence

I might sometimes want more

Mistaken in my want

Sensing a need where there is none

Conjuring a lack where there is none

All I have to do

Is close my eyes

Breathe in

Pause

Smile

I feel it in its full glory

Like a waterfall on my mind

Your presence

I may see you as a star

Or the door left ajar

I may put you up high

On the pedestal of light

I may make you the wise one

There, when the rest are gone

I may see you as the fire

That will light up my pyre

I may see you as the breeze

That I can gently tease

In my mind you might roar

Or as the eagle you might soar

I might see you in the redwood

Or in everything that’s good

I may see you as the wine

Or the cup that holds mine

Or the hands that slowly pour

As I ask to keep no score

I may see you in perfection

Of the moon’s full reflection

But don’t let me tell you what I see

What I see is only me

Whereas you are so much more

Be you, be more

Take off the clothes

The hat, the shoes

Peel off the skin

The tissues, the nerves

Carve out the organs

The brain, the heart

And lay the bones bare

Free the soul

Let it speak for itself

Even if a whisper

It needs to speak

Just a little louder

Sit by it’s side

Just a little longer

Lean in

Just a little more

Listen

Let me hold

The flood of your tears

And the anguish in your heart

Just for one moment

Let me carry

The weight on your shoulders

And the burden of your nights

Just for one moment

Let me fight

Your fiercest demons

And your worst nightmares

Just for one moment

Let me be your muse

Your mirror

So you may see you

With my eyes

Just for one moment

Let me set you free

And let that fraction of time

Become your eternity

The moon must say it

To the last shining star

The ocean must whisper it

To the setting sun

Don’t go yet

I want more

Stay

Just a little longer

I still have breath in me

So I will speak

Will you stay and listen

Just a little longer

I am drunk but still aware

Unsteady but still standing

Will you fill my cup again

Just a little more

If we meet again

You may not know my face

You may not remember my name

You may not laugh the same

So, for just now

Please stay

Just a little longer

If you are the idol

On a high pedestal

I can bow down

And kneel and pray

I can revere

From a distance

I do not wish

To stand up or stay

If you are a stranger

Walking along

I can smile

And not fray

I do not wish

To stop or stay

If you are the God

And I the fallen angel

I remain the devil

In my own way

I do not wish

To rise or stay

If you are the sun

And I the ashes

I can scatter

My being away

I do not wish

To be whole and stay

If you are the wine seller

And I the drunk

Pour me a cup

And look away

I do not wish

To be seen or stay

Stay up there

So I may look up

For it is simpler

To adore

And want

Nothing more

For if you came down

And we were the same

My drunken words

Might give me away

Pay me no notice

Give me no thought

Whirling in

My drunken trance

I remain unseen

Let me stay