Here’s to the Ones Between Novice and Veteran

Here’s to the ones who can log a list of everything cold, dark, and prickly 

while nodding yes, that’s me,

AND also find the details of the present moment elusive

as their brows furrow into now what?

The ones in the daunting stretch leading to breakthrough,

who perceive sustainable rhythms too slippery 

to feel into wholeness or dependable hope,

AND also have chosen sides and

can’t unsee the awareness making its bed in their bones.

To the ones sweating to parse out healing in the space

between novice and veteran,

where buzzy, untethered resisting outweighs

stillness and loosening.

The ones conversing with the part within who

roots for revolution,

steadies the shake,

and whispers remedies,

AND who most often hand the keys to

the strident, puffed up part

who tears down predictable streets and

beats the same tattered drum, alternating between two songs— urgency or despair.

To the ones recounting their stories as rusty barbs soldered to wire

AND also allow expectation to pool in their pores

when in proximity to an old timer four steps ahead

with a story like mine strung on twinkle lights,

because I don’t know, maybe the light is made for me, too.

To the ones who tenderize their hearts by collecting stories

where main characters:

sleep soundly in slow, empty rooms,

lean into the sun’s kisses on Saturday mornings, and

rest easy within their skin most days.

Because liberation is real even if it’s just for other people right now.

To the ones eager for their stories to shift beyond

so. much. knowing and unfold into a. lot. more. being,

I see you. Keep going.