I have learned to live with Ghosts

they often break bread with me, they

taught me to run headlong into the Storm,

stride out into the Darkness, 

for waiting for the Rain to stop

never would help me… or anyone. 

I have had plenty lessons along the way

on how to be Lightning, scorching 

the earth below, burning bridges

on my path. I was born to suck the marrow

out of life, to ride shot-gun 

in coaches with tone-deaf judges. 

I have learned to birth fires within 

my soul, lying awake to sprint 

and Fight in defense of my children

and their children’s children,

I have drowned in Longing

but learned to swim in silence. 

I am the Sub-peonas that make 

hard men stutter as they wait their turn,

I am Impatience and Fury, rolled into one

I can wait, as meek as a kitten 

as anxious as an owl in daylight

as mad as a dog who has bitten. 

So do not come to me with your Lies,

do not ask for Trust once it’s been broken

for I have met my share of Hurt and Dismay

who have taught me only to be Strong, 

to dare anything and everything

and to call out the apple that is rotten.

My mother tried. She tried to teach 

me Manners and things that do not matter

but on the night Thunder shattered,

I learned to chase the Tornado. 

To run as far as I can run, to be 

more than I can ever be, even Battered. 

I have chased the clouds ever since

and the moon, (never forget the moon)

committed myself to Fight not Flight

never mapping myself as unlovable 

and never afraid of the shell I was,

where Pain gathers, I carry on.