"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it"

What will you do while you are patiently waiting for your turn to bloom?

I cannot. I cannot.
There are hints of Spring everywhere I glance.
I don’t want to overlook – not a one.
Not even one.

It is into the darkness that I walked today, or rather, the light was dim and the day barely had begun. The Civil War Battlefield is where I took my beginning, an old friend and confidant that has become mine, sometimes talking into the darkness.

But always slowing down to cherish a new piece of jewelry decorating this once upon a time place of battle. The solemnity of this place does not get lost on me, I will often sprinkle my walks in prayer, my thoughts deep with the cover of darkness.

“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” Francis Bacon

The Dogwoods are in their element and yet I know this is the last of them. They will be waving goodbye sooner than I ever wish, until we meet again. Again.

She sighs

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire