Be

i want to be

like the tree that grows through concrete

like the grass that grows through tar

like the flowers that bloom from seeds planted by hands 

never seen, i want to be

sustained by perennial purpose

and nourished with time and possibility

shooting through the earth in response to each season

able to let go of my petals with faith that the beauty 

of my remains will plant seeds of their own

bearing the fruit of lessons learned 

lessons to be shared with the souls that take the time to taste nature 

with their toes and bathe in the scent of creation i want to be

alive without worrying that i'm living 

unafraid as my foundation settles and shifts with tectonic plates 

creating cracks in my surface

unafraid solely because i'm too busy being grateful that the earth 

is still breathing

the pressure from each inhale stretching my imperfections

wider

longer 

deeper 

an interweb of connections spanning my core

they are not character flaws that need to be suffocated 

with dead matter

these cracks are evidence of movement

promises of change, fulfilled

space 

created for more life to grow right in the middle of what i 

think i already know

just like the tree that spurts through concrete

and the grass that emerges through tar

and the flowers that blossom from seeds planted by hands never seen

all reminding me that i can just

be