Is your fear of the light
because of this –
it is fire
and your heart
a thin wing of chitin?
Do you huddle in the alley
thinking you disguise
your beautiful,
human face
with grime?
I behold you there,
in the shadows.
The light in your eyes
you think no one can see
through crusty, leftover sleep.
You are mistaken there,
Human Being,
You can’t avoid the light,
It is within
You.
March 2013 © Nia Simone
Wonderful poem Nia. We can all learn lessons from this.
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Thank you, John!
Nia
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LOVE the part about the alley and the grime. Also, what a lovely rhythm “thin wing of chitin” sets up. 🙂
“Man-Moth” by Elizabeth Bishop is one of my all-time favorites. I assume you were referencing it, but in case not, it’s worth a read (or a revisit — yum!): http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/176997.
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Thank you, Elle! I have not read “Man-Moth” nor indeed, Elizabeth Bishop. That poem is exquisite. I found her bio extremely interesting and I’m going to read her collected works. Thank you for referring me to that poem. The reference on my behalf, was purely accidental, a happy accident!
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