In the enslavement
to which we’re bound
(held down by loops of thought
cleverly designed to make us think
they are our own)
We’re trained we’re only due a little light —
Strings of little lights at Christmas
Rare and hard-earned smiles, short vacations
A glimmering of satisfaction
coming up through layers and layers
of drudgery
Only one love in life
and no more loved ones
than we can count on a hand or two.
Why not throw off the loops?
Why not abandon
the voice that says
“How dare you? How dare you think
that you could have some more?
Why not claim
for ourselves and everyone else
all the light —
All the light that we are!
©Wendy Mulhern
December 5, 2012