cages

_{cage = cavea (Latin), fig. a womb; hollow, the roof of the mouth; sockets of the eye; something that hinders freedom}

***

The revolution of loving each and every single inch of your precious body
the cold feet, cracked lips, void space within your belly button
your thighs
and in between them all the scars from opening
too much too soon against your will.
love that too, and love ruthlessly all your story
not in parts.

Break break all your cages and dismantle them
For that, strengthen your body, round shoulders resisting a world that’s asking too much.
strong backs to carry grief and so much love.
The cages of another’s dream of us, bars of conforming in order to be loved
shaping and reshaping and moulding ourselves to fit to be seen to be heard to be loved
cages of grief unexpressed, too ashamed to feel
break it all apart.

and when you think the world is without hope and a tragic backdrop that you so badly want to leave
then dance
we are here to dance and bleed on the earth laugh like maniacs
roar, we are wild wolves and refuse refuse
to become domesticated animals.
We are here to dance wildly grieving to the moon
to pray so loud that our prayers echo through our skins.
get knee-deep into moist forest ground, mud
and shed the heavy clean stiff armour you have been given. we need no gleaming cages.

I was there too, wishing for it to end, depleted to the bone and dried up from miracles
but you
you are so necessary, rise through your return to the Earth.

Then, on a quiet day, ask

how can I serve this world
how can I serve
how can I serve

***

_{“You have escaped the cage. Your wings are stretched out. Now fly.” Rumi}