this face

behind this face there is power

however strong

and heartache and longing

behind this face there is whit

wonder and wisdom

behind this face there is cruelty

and the hard fought unlearning of the same

behind this face there is flesh

fat muscle and bone and the soft squish of a brain

synapses firing and electricity trying

to spark thoughts into wants

into life

behind this face there is grief

belief systems and

opinions on systemic oppression

depression and the wish for relief

behind this face there is joy

that sometimes bleeds through

and paints this face faster

and more skillfully than this hand can

behind this face there is a universe 

a journey more wonderful than you can imagine

a path to wander and wonder at

a river to swim if you ask politely before you dive in

a street your feet can find a place on 

and yet you trip up 

and can't get past this face.