I swear to God
I will not leave this time
without opening up and letting down;
pouring out all that would
choke the life from my body
and the joy from my tears;

I am not afraid that I might die
but that I might hold too tight to
my fears while the past and future
confuse my tongue and steal my words.

You will not own my story nor shape for me a square little box
with pin prick holes and vents on the sides.
Glory is never neat and seldom
without fire and smoke. I will hold still long enough to carve out a tablet
of granite that might present for you a picture of an image in grays and hushed tones
that someone will someday say is me.

I swear to God my intention is nothing short of everlasting genius. August 18, 2009 I write these truths freely believing wholeheartedly that no I shall not allow this dream go unrealized.
Should I forget this oath for lack of commitment my time will surely be done.