sentence

sentence  (from the trial)

exhibit 9

to wake each day and believe its possibilities

a ship slipping its anchor to drift on uncharted seas

or to those mapped and hoped for destinies

not to who or what or where you are    on your knees

 

to know that the past would always be invited to parties

guests and ghosts gatecrashers with invitations in their pockets

a lock of hair a forgotten photograph memories hung in lockets

on rusty golden chains of futures around their necks    of certainties

 

to be yourself   sure, as many epiphanies

as you can take   but a life sentence in the cell of yourself

no remission no parole   enjoy the walls the ceiling

the floor the flaws   and the window that square of sky   a jar from which the light pours