Sophie Cabot Black

Before You

I kneel down
To understand what happens. It begins
With the mouth, always

Searching toward
What takes shape, while the hand
Continues to stalk,

Small arrests are made.
Do not speak; let silence.
Light fails in this awkward place

And I am here as no one
Has ever been before:
The worst that I watch

Myself survive.
You would have me
Do this, you who are so far

From myself, who keep
Each road possible until nothing is left
To regret.

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