message

strength in vulnerability / message

a problem for me is my parents

did not know they could show

their vulnerability

they were always working

celebrating and fighting

to give us kids brighter futures..

keep us together and be thought well of

and also sometimes to enjoy moments (and

show people they could enjoy moments)

struggles left no room

for vulnerability -

theirs nor mine

i was born old

forty years and four months

(i can be a dapper ghost)

gifted me with guilt

before we could speak

hardwired for lostness

i can never do enough

i can never be enough

my bones are blame and my skin is shame

heart a bunch of hardships with no names

til this tearful night of spring i

sank into my vulnerability

i feel it in my body

IT IS NOT A PROBLEM

it is a MESSAGE

I have been really inspired by sharings from artist, teacher and activist, Jana Lynne Umipig.