Sweep up the ashes and paint the walls yellow
And the ceiling white, clean and clear as the moon
I would like to feel content in my room
Safe and sound, strong and full of riches
I can forgive myself my little set backs
They are part of being human
But I must listen to the voice of the owl
Who sings on the wall at three am
Trilling as I write - stay away from the Rabbit Hole
Too-wit, too-woo
How terrible it would be to fall again
I do not wish to be sick
There is so much left to do
I will drink rich, milky chocolate
To take the taste of my errors away
The bad things leave a bitter taste
And cause me sorrow after the initial pleasure
A doomed cycle that I must resist
The brick room is silent
A place to rest and think but not a prison
In it I can shut my eyes and imagine faces
If I am lucky hear her sweet, high voice
Stay well, stay well
I do not want to lose you
And in her, inside myself I find the truth
That I must always sweep the ashes and wipe the walls
Keep myself safe and my room shining like the sun.
For Shay's Word Garden
I love this, Jae. From the ceiling clear and clean as the moon, to the owl, to the upbeat ending. I know this stuff is not easy or simple, but stay well, my friend, stay well.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful description of a mind palace, safe from the 'rabbit hole' ~
ReplyDeleteI love the owls and the ceiling clear as the moon, and the wonderful message of someone working hard to keep herself safe. Sending you some moondust to sprinkle around your room.
ReplyDeleteAh, it is good to be able to forgive onself for one's small setbacks! We are all human and imperfect.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard work keeping yourself safe. I love all the things you do, the creative, descriptive expression of it in this poem.
ReplyDeleteA safe harbor to be preserved, to rest and think. We all need that. For some reason this poem made me think of C.S. Lewis' Narnian Chronicles. Maybe the "Too-wit, too-woo" and the owls in "The Silver Chair." Beautiful imagery, Jae.
ReplyDelete