what makes us afraid is our great freedom in the face of the emptiness that has still to be filled

karl jaspers

It is not my face peeling away

loosening and falling in the darkening lightness of these years

it is not the backs of arm nor the inset of thighs channeling an agedness

no I must surprise you with the truth

you see when you look at a woman and don’t see

we each give out a silent hallelujah an internal dance

we see each other and join in growing

what is falling what is moving is not our skin our thighs our breasts our hair

what is falling are the piles of years the days of imitation

the unlearning is what you see that you can no longer see when you look at me

my years are not old they are numerous compilations of unlearning the habits of being someone

else the learning of being this god within this body that is my destiny

power in falling

when your eyes all you eyes stopped seeing

I take time in hand and begin

my self