Jubilation

My Ms. October stint was last night. I spoke at a men’s detention center here in lower Manhattan affectionately (!) known as the Tombs (it was built in the Egyptian Revival style around the turn of the last century or thereabouts). This is my second year as Ms. October. Three incarcerated chaps, my friend John, and me. And a very nice and helpful guard as well (who apologized if he dropped off during the meeting but he has been working a lot of double shifts lately, poor fellow). It just leaves me very exuberant and filled with gratitude when I do this kind of service. I whittered last night. Today is a special day. And, of course, it is Saturday. I hope yours is being or has been lovely.

Once

Words were gently placed
rose petals strewn so carefully
and I swept them into my arms
so swiftly did the heady aroma of them
touch my soul in ecstasy

In a state of blind exhilaration
I stepped toward the velvet
of their sweet and joyous message
but my vision was impaired
seeing into a distorted mirror

Linguistic inquiries yielded
a glorious message
do you know that my fingertips
were called mystical
and that important lists were sent

In time and through faith
I learned that this rose
was the place for me to rest
for the velvet petals
fast became my haven

Balancing
a voice too long silenced
a soul that dared do nothing
but hide away
now allowed its light
being seen and
by some who understand its language
heard

Even in the heady exuberance
the childish romping
the child-like explorations of
what does this all mean
the damage was curable
things fell where they were meant to land
and when I had flown far
I awoke into the gaze of an angel

When my vision had been corrected
to know an angel when I saw one