[AN IMPRINT]

my lineage
of impermanence
of being taken 

of abduction

of hay wagon 
of worry 
of incredible luck 
of guardian angels
of some-sort-of Elsa fierce motherhood 
of knowing what is right. 

of religion of kindness 
of determination 
of relentless reminders 
of safety 

of how to protect 
of how to cleanse the vegetables before eating 
of how to digest the brew
of how to wash the hands
of how to get rid of pimples 
with tetracycline 
with refrigerated
antibiotics & night cream
of secrets

of ‘i love yous’ 
of ‘i'm proud of yous’ 
of unconditional love 

of texts at 3am asking about whereabouts 
of imaginings of trunk       abductions

how our lineage 
led us here 
how our worry is coded in our DNA 
how our creativity 
is endless

how our shadow side 
consists 
of doubt 
of guilt
of worry 
of scarcity 
of secrets 

of beliefs 
that imagining the worst 
will rid the bad 

Worry is our form of witch medicine —
This sacrifice will ward off the worst from happening 
like garlic

what if we change this imprint
this fear -
transform it 
to faith 
to opening 
the heart
to leading with 
the throat 
to letting the chest 
rest 
at full sprawl
like bird wings 

like 

letting go 

of 

dis-ease 

a gentle pull 
from our 
wiser selves 
to look up 
at the trees
to dance 
naked
by the river 
to remember 
that every
step 
you take 
should be a step 

forward

never backwards, 
only through