Let me back into the land with no names Where the lines blur and colors blend Where eternity lasts barely a blink A dreamless, formless slumber May the darkness embrace me Cradle me in gentle coils Whisper sweet silence Shape my thoughts Take my words Allow me to Finally Become sleep. Rest, return, release Put the soul back on the shelf Let consciousness fade into being Being everything Being nothing

You whispered in my dreams
A tongue so ancient
Words etched in feelings
Punctuated by desires

I couldn’t understand

You couldn’t either
Woke up in a strange new world
Alone
Afraid
Confused

I bore you, from mud, in sorrow
As I did many children before.
Was I the best mother? No;
I can be cruel—
Vicious, even—
But mostly
Indifferent.

And from my cruelty,
From suffering and pain…
How could you have turned out
Any other way?