i know you.

face me

in the reckless grieving of your sleep

in the torments of your mornings

in the embrace of captive bones

face me

in the volatile tides of your nice

in the weight of your outrunning

in the snares of your great shame

face me

in the reflection of the serpent

that spits into your eyes

in the derailment of your quiet

in your pleading for rest

face me

in your invidious dominion

where you’re identity bereft

in monstrous unworthiness

and vibrational rage

face me

in the remorse for your dissent

in the strife beneath the mask

in the depth of your need

face me

in rigid stringency

in hailstorm hammering on tin roof

in shards of glass defiling ripe fruits

in all your trying

face me

in ravenous seeking

in battalions of devotion

in bloodshed of submission

in the picking of daisies for chains

face me

where grateful heart

aches in its redeeming

in your violent higher loves

and superlative purpose

as a vessel for all that is unbridled

and for all that is good.