We Don't Need Permission

We were taught to stand in lines. Before we knew what lines were

for. Some words arrive too early. Some questions stayed outside the door.

Corners learned are breathing first. Names came later one by one. Nothing here was

ever broken. Nothing here was ever done. They called it care,

they called it calm. They called it keeping us in mind.

Every answer stood in place. Before the doubt could form behind. They spoke in

careful future tense. In words that promise not to fail. We learn the

way to open hands. By how they taught us not to say,