Look at all the ways
we shuck off our old skin;
cocoons and corn husks,
pruning old branches,
new cars, lovers,
madness at the mall…
I have seen the stunned sorrow
in the ones who are left behind,
as well as the riotous confusion
of the leavers that blew away.
Would that we had academies of peace
to help us hold our dying,
help us sew robes
for our next versions,
help us reach out to our dear ones
as we grow into newness.