In Common Light

Who knew
A hospital bed
Wouldn’t hurt
But heal.

Who knew
A clinic —
With juice boxes,
Scrubs, and pills —
Would help.

Who knew
Check-ins and check-outs,
Elevators,
Grey hair — no more dye —
Would be good.

The real shining through
Unable to hide
Unable to conceal

It is nothing like
The constraining pressure
The inhibiting walls —
You, now, I can feel.

I’ve never laid before
On your lap like that.

You may not have wanted
The grey to show through.
But to me it’s beautiful
To me it’s you
The true you.

Who knew this is what it would take
Who knew this force
This cover
Was so strong
And that without it
I can finally feel you.