written years ago, published

Hourglass

Like a camel

Between

Sand and sky

I stand

Unadorned,

Unadorned.

Amazing balance

Between

Brutality and passivity.

Breathing,

Living,

Organic stone.

Tunnel between

Birth and death,

I am.

Woman,

Born alive and dying.

I am consumed with

Filling this space.

Hourglass of sliding sand

I do not know

How big I am.

How many seconds

Do I hold within me?

Child

"I’m this many."

This many particles spun together,

This many thoughts, feelings,

Capabilities, dreams,

Fears.

This many grains of sand

Funneled into this one

Hourglass

Who likens herself to

A camel.

I believe I can

Sustain myself

Through this

Desert in my mind.