am-i-art

[am-i-art]

Then?

I do not bend I cannot break you can try mould me at your will but you will never squeeze me out of all these spaces that I fill.

As you advance each step you take you pull elasticated chain and when you reach quite far enough I bounce you back - it was in vain

And up you get, a swotted child with teary, upset eyes, and never knowing who dealt the blow you come to me to cry

I, the unconscionable, unequivocal om I, the unquestionable, unquavering drum Beat at my breast, you turbulent child Rebel ‘gainst the nature and how you’ve been styled

I, the unstoppable, everlasting fight You beg for the day but I still bring you night You cling to the feeling, the things you hold dear Not one of you knows what comes after here

So on with your marching, perseverance, disdain Narrate your existence, identify pain You’ll one day be left here and what of it then? Not one breath amongst you, no remnant or stain

[am-i-art]

go

Collapse your body in the street and

know that I will stand guard over you;

as your back bends in prayer and you cower,

in fear and frustration at your own magnificence,

where there has been no-one before,

let there be armies behind you.

Ready to defend, with all might

and humility

and honour,

the strength that you carry.

You have drawn every breath as a sword,

ready to take on each day in defiance;

live on.

There are no mirrors in hell,

only contortionists.

Be weak.

Be weak.

Let out that wailing child and

know that you lose no strength for breaking.

Know that these foundations will hold.

The walls you have built will withstand.

The ceiling above you will not crumble or crack.

Because we will hold them up

I am sorry for the times we have not

For the times you have tried to trust

and been left stranded

When storms have blasted through your shelter

Knocked you to the floor and shaken the fabric of your being;

For the times you have had to retreat inside yourself for safety

Because there has been nowhere else to hide.

May there always be shelter for you.

But do not forget, that even without it you have awoken,

Day after day.

In exhaustion, you have persevered

In exuberance, you have persevered

In states of preservation, reluctance and resentment

You have persevered

And you do not need to

You do not owe the sun for warming your skin

You do not owe the water for giving you life

You do not owe the earth for your standing upon it;

Go. If it is what you want;

It is us that will be lesser,

But it is not your duty to stay

It would be my greatest privilege to serve you