2023 February 23: Stirring Sleeping Beauty

Stirring Sleeping Beauty

(An Incantation)

~ by Lisa Reilich, vs. 2/22/2023

 

You predicted,

preplanned,

premeditated

death ‘til the end.

Like a dance or a game

courting ghosts

wrapped in flame

‘til you burned.

 

Here we stand, holding air

like your breath, pray to dusk

that it counts

like your heartbeat

once stopped.

Your heartbeat

now stopped.

 

You flirted with flames

one moment too long.

And not even God

starts your heart

once breath stops.

Stop.

 

Don’t stop.

 

Beat.

Breathe.

Believe.

 

Live — Don’t stop.

 

Babes crawl to walk,

dance tightropes with ghosts.

(Pray gently)

Crawl gently, walk gently,

dance gently my Loves,

lest you fall.

 

Don’t Fall.

Live.

Don’t. Stop.

Don’t Sleep.

Don’t Die.

 

Wake Up…