leave nothing but the bones
he said
nothing, but the bones
suck the marrow
as a young pup worries the fat
drink lustily
laugh heartily
and dance with the shadows that exist
only in virtue of your own inexcusable light
yes, you are the source
of your own suffering
it's as it should be
you know the ache
deep in the gut, like the last dying breath
of a being you never knew, and yet remember nonetheless
a whisper, a reminder, a promise
a prayer
so, think existence a prison
if you will
if you must
but look
at the care with which your captors have fashioned the cage
weaving it of mystery, magic, and being
and beauty
she awaits you
amber liquid the light
which flows eager through both heart and soul
in the moment when you bend to kiss her
and encounter irresistibly the fragile other
yes, you are condemned to love
and to be loved
to know
and to be known
to hope,
because you cannot shield yourself
from the reflection of your own insistence
from the longing of your one true question
what is possible must be actualized
what is real must be forgiven
and in the courage you possess
finally
to be
therein lies the bliss