The Things They Carried

Mind draws blank hours
before therapy anxiety towers
giant walls between facts and feelings
talking of things unanticipated reeling
in lives and lines of history, herstory
where does it all come from this allegory
carried 24/7 unbeknownst to thine own eye
Secrets carried, secrets promised
till the day they die expressed
as blown out knees, ruptured discs, fatty liver
busy lives, busy minds, self-neglecting awesome giver
guilt says you don't deserve any better
denial says you can't remember why your guilt was sent
Its just been that way forever - forever.

In meditation open throat she cries
it springs from some unknown place,
no lies no knowledge of it
and no catching the throat
not making it stop
the way she usually does won't
hurt a thing, really
its scary at first and then a marvel
to behold and the same with shows of tenderness
she'll travel to the place of emptiness
that fills with acute longing
or when the native drum beats while singing
tears interrupt her strong voice keening smoothly
till all that is carried is handed over soothed
by vibration cleansing and clearing never nearing
knowing for sure if what is carried there
is hers or theirs or if the witnesses too
are bearing each drum beat airs all knowing
carrying each heart another mile beyond burden
till all singing brings on dancing
feet moving all transforming
all that was carried shape shifts
to spirit feasting on slights and griefs
till only ecstasy and communion carries each
to the great beyond again.