in like lavender

chin up, child
don't hold your breath
you are allowed to
seize the air
you are allowed to
carve a place in
the wind

do not hush your heart
let it shout, sing
let it bellow glories
let it weep your grief

create yourself
from the void
speak your existence
until you emerge
from the nothing of
a heavy darkness
until the light lifts
from the tired of
shattered men and
hoarse mothers