‘come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed-Lucille Clifton. Somewhere Lucille Cliftont said, ‘I choose joy because I am capable of it and there are others who are not.’ I carry this poem in my heart. Thank you, Lucille Clinton + Copper Canyon” — Ellen Bass
night vision
the girl fits her body in
to the space between the bed
and the wall. she is a stalk,
exhausted. she will do some
thing with this. she will
surround these bones with flesh.
she will cultivate night vision.
she will train her tongue
to lie still in her mouth and listen.
the girl slips into sleep.
her dream is red and raging.
she will remember
to build something human with it.