A Pale Green Cup

The prince hid amongst the cow herd

with the entire Universe down his throat

and hope inside his chest, fluttering on white wings

So they say

And I drank that tale like ice-cold milk from a pale green cup

Always, there was room in my heart for the adventure of it all-

for believing in the wondrous

There is room still

to find the key to that secret garden

to feel wind whip through my hair as I travel to the edge of the compass

If a prince living among the cows

is hiding the Universe

then I stole my eyes from a sleeping tiger

and my tongue will sing a thousand starry lullabies

My heart beats for the story

and there is room enough for it all

Too long have I stayed behind white picket fences

When I come to my end

throat full to bursting, my chest fluttering slowly

I want to be stretched around the world so thin,

cradling every inch of earth until I am transparent as a pale, jade cup

Ice cold milk will pour forth between my teeth

and you,

kind reader,

will drink my stories-

the stories I was unafraid to live