Instructions on Softening
Dream an envelope of earth, and fill it with blue morning glory seeds.
Seeds need tenderness and a message of truth before they wake up.
Weed a short section of childhood memory, plant bulbs that bloom in winter.
Practice burning faces into your brain like names on a leather purse.
Feed a population of feral children. Identify and interview yourself.
Terror informants want to know that rifleshot won’t follow their words.
Speech is a natural pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
Where is the nearest natural running water?
Relax the angry reflexes that protect you from pain.
Nurture beneficial insects.
Dream an x-ray of world peace.
Vow to return to live on Earth again, again, again.
Feminesto: Dialogue
Are there any qualities standard to liberation?
Each book on the syllabus.
How do I make rape bear fruit, little bear?
The brain that contains the problem also contains the solution.
We are in need of a worldwide Sabbath, a moment of absolute rest.
Good night, little one. Dream me a forest path, a basket.
My body—his body—missile silos—the sidewalk, the crop, the compost—
Guantanamo Bay—the pesticide—faucet—wet mop—#10—the bees in the
orchard—child’s hand—nobody’s suffering is singular— can I be my own harbor,
yet hold refugees?
Create a moment without cacophony.
Lungs, the light. A breath?
From any cliff, you can extend a blessing.
