My Own Voice (for @PhynneBelle)

Don’t pull my ropes

to swing my bells.

Put your credentials

back in your pocket.

Tightly braided ideas

strangle me

as I struggle to listen

to my own song

in my heart.

I walk proudly

in righteous way

traipsing through

my own immortality.

If I hearken to you,

I’ll lose my way

and fade into nothing.

My footsteps lead

in my own direction.

Your ideas

cut me from inside.

I whisper my own truths

in echo of steps,

find my own alibi

for being alive.

My pores emit

my own sweat

so I peel off

your emotions

and shun

your misguided glow

as I repeat

the light for which

I long.

I’m not sure where

I’m going

but I’m moving on

listening to the song

here in my heart,

finding release

as my dreams

are heard.