By Jane Nguyen
I could mourn my youth
The wonder that lit the world bright
That flame so quickly extinguished
Smothered and dead beneath my own hand
From the tattered remains of my mind
Like wisps of pollen scattered on a breeze
Gone and gone and forgotten
If only I could rebuild myself
Mold my body into a lovely, delicate nymph
Mold my soul into something alive
Carve a smile into my wooden face
Whittle notches into my stiffened form
And shrink my body in the same way
I have shrunken my spirit
But I cannot alter from which there is nothing
Devoid of thought or feeling
From this hollow I reinvent myself anew
Birth a blank slate once again
Forge the metal to reinforce my might
Erupt from the earth to brace against
the billowing tempest
I shall squint my eyes against the debris of past
Vision piercing the veil of memory
I will clutch my flickering resolve
And I try
Try to stand tall on quivering feet
Amidst the chaos behind my vacant gaze
Comments