Opening the Curtains

Just wait; when it overwhelms you, just wait.

Let yourself go to sleep, then greet another day -

Even if the curtains still have to be drawn closed -

And just wait, because these thoughts will come

And go like water brushing against the sides of an oar

And they will pass on, they will be gone. And when

It becomes unbearable, when you cannot stop

Reacting to every rise and fall of the wave,

Wait some more; you are of the nature to grow,

To extend towards the light, and touch the light

You will. Wait, and then wait some more.

Sometimes I feel so claustrophobic I could scream,

You say - that’s okay, I promise, just wait. The walls

Will gently shake and loosen and fall to the ground,

And you will find a way to freedom as effortlessly

As winter finds spring, infant finds breast, rain

Finds soil. Just wait; one morning your fingertips

Will reach for the curtains and sweep them open,

Will want them open. Nobody is asking the oars

To stop rowing, the water to stop flowing; nobody

Is asking the same of you. Nobody wants you to be gone.

Just wait; one day you will find the mother in you

And realize she, too, has always wanted you to stay.