Rose Polenzani

Peacetime

Rose Polenzani


I am soul,
I am patient.
I have sworn 
to listen.
I remember 
the peacetime,
when we traverse 
our lives

I will, 
I will die

I still live
in the nest.
I am hungry,
my neck stretched.
One more worm
out her mouth,
and I'm running 
aground.

I will,
I will fly

How my wings divide,
how long they've waited to be tried!
How my mouth is full of sky,
How unlike peacetime.

If I'm ever greedy,
If I'm ever helpless,
I've forgotten that many
of my lessons are timeless.
I am human, I am alive
but I'm mostly unkind.
I have sworn to be patient
I have sworn to listen.

I will, 
I will learn.