June 20
THE PALMIST
Last night I had a silly dream. I was in a tent at a carnival and the woman
across the table held my hand so dear, looked into my eyes and said, “Today you
will go to a meeting that will save your life.”
I thanked her and left full of anticipation. When I awoke, I was filled with the same
strong sensation. I rose, washed and
left for the meeting with anticipation.
I paid close attention to the coffee maker, those setting up chairs with
me, and the newcomer. I listened carefully
to the speakers and the sound of the group’s voice closing in prayer. Nothing out of the ordinary happened… other
than my realization that every meeting saves my life.
Believe in
contradiction.
*
Notice
I put myself on the auction block
and wait to see how high a rate
I will have to pay to become slave to my illusions.
I have worked so ardently to free myself
from past enslavements and here I stand naked on this
block,
selling myself and hoping I will fetch a price.
Poisonous pedagogy is atomized, contained in every breath,
I don’t know how to live apart from it
and thus I stand waiting to be bought.
It no longer matters how I got up here the first time
for who cares that slaves enslave.
All that matters is that there seems no safe way off this
block
or out of this web, or down this street;
The world seems a bad neighborhood everywhere I turn.
Yet I must admit that standing here affords a view
I would not have if I were buying.
If I am a slave I can have hope of someday being free,
if I am a owner what hope might there be?
You are reading selections from Sober on the Way to Sane
and More Lines From My Life by Sherrie Theriault
