The Imperative

The Imperative

I no longer dream the same dream:
My heart sleeps, a tight fist of petals.
How can I live with myself?
At dawn, my quiet heart unfurls.

My heart sleeps, a tight fist of petals.
I recall how we danced in the parlor.
At dawn, my quiet heart unfurls.
When I was young, I knew the answer.

I recall how we danced in the parlor.
The truth is an untamed mongrel.
When I was young, I knew the answer.
I could dance any dance.

The truth is an untamed mongrel –
I discovered this myself.
I could dance any dance,
yet where you go I can not follow.

I discovered this: myself.
How could I remain unchanged?
And where you go, I can not follow.
This greedy thing grew inside me.

How could I remain unchanged?
I nearly erased all trace of myself.
This greedy thing grew inside me.
Now, I must answer the question.

I nearly erased all trace of myself.
I no longer dream the same dream.
Now, I must answer the question.
How can I live with myself?

Photograph by markthegrey, Benton St. bridge over the Fox River, downtown Aurora, IL USA