the freedom epoch

to think this spirit hid so long,
deep in this cave.
worried of what the red peppers
and briarpatches might view
as susceptibilities in generic external aptitude tests.

to be beholden to the nocturnal doubt of mind
of being truly happy.

the simplicity
the ironing of ruffles,
the savouring of solitudes
the cherishing of my catalysts.

physical movement
emotional reconciliation
spiritual awakening
general self acceptance

to think. you know. you held on.
you had the bonds in your palms,
ready to be smashed and shaken
sparked into light lending life
in the outside world.

being drawn to dark spaces will
forever have a
different meaning.

years, in the time the universe
commits to scratching its back,
or perhaps winking, once.

months, in the time trees
take to yawn, sway branches
and refurnish their leaves.

weeks, in the time caterpillars
build caskets for their former selves
stockpiling sledgehammers for escape.

days, in the time hydrogen
melds with one of its dance partners
and quenches everything’s thirst.

minutes, in the time light
makes a binary alteration
from off to on.

seconds, the time I
evolved from a being to a person,
from existing to living.