paradise must dwell within us before we may dwell within heaven

i have taken

to walking at night

through the backfields of my life

 

drawing ink from the well pond

surrounded by a chamber choir of

minstrel toads

 

tenor and baritone balanced

the bass has a loose string

my smile shapes into nirvana

as i am

a lover of imperfect things

 

in this place where i wash away the blood

from gruesome playground injuries

i know myself to be a reality

an unfolding lotus blossum

 

the drones buzz around me

urging me to assume my place as queen

at the risk of being beheaded

 

fear be damned

i have nothing to lose but regret

 

when the world has given all of itself

to nocturnal things

i seek the sage counsel

of the elders who placed the pomegranate trees

in eden

 

they tell me to command the fireflies

to float upward

becoming stars

knowing it is i

who determines my fate

 

avalon built in one night

to be burned again tomorrow

 

the planets revolve in the palm of my hand

when i consider the algonquin princess

from whose ancient earth-mother chromosomes

i sprang

 

greek gods conspire to please me

nectar sent from mount olympus

i am humbled with acceptance

 

my feet no longer feel the ground below

i float over the river styx

 

hummingbirds fly with lanterns

hanging from their bills

filled with luciferase glow

 

all of this majesty

so that i may

find my way to heaven

before the gates are closed