company (a poem)
here's your name tag. join the mess.
company
I have a theory that
there is no ego, or
superego
we are Id or nothing
We are exposed nerves and
we need
and need
and need
and there is no want
in our vocabulary
Build the house yourself
safe.
hunt and gather for food
safe.
know and be known
how?
There are flies in the ointment
Sticks build houses and
meat will keep in salt
but people are heliotropes
eternal and finite. We will
build cities to burn them to
the ground
we cultivate the soil
and poison the water all
In the same season
How do we trust us?
How do we love us?
I cannot love you until you
Love me
so love me
love me
me.
But, do you know who I am
because I don’t
I seem to have
lost my cosmic name tag in this dance
i’ve filled my ears with honey
and am learning sign language
from a snake
i’ll walk for water until
my feet bleed and
i won’t take the pitcher
you’ve offered.
I am an island and I’ll take your
warmth for a night
and siphon strength from
the leftover ambiance
of your body
I don’t need you–you need me
you need me, don’t you
don’t you?
Woe betide the mighty spine
without the muscles to support it
God save the exposed nerves
as we knead bread in silence
lonely and broken, feet sore
heart crying out for
someone to bring butter
to the table
and someone to set it
and someone to light a candle
and for all to sit
and stay
and do the ugly, vibrant work of life
together
Always,
Emily