Well, What Do You Know?

Well, what do you know?

By Alāna Rader

Well, what do you know?

It’s almost been a year,

a year in captivity--

yet also breaking free,

from saying yes to everything,

and saying no to me.

From giving my power away like a present,

wrapped in a bow.

Barely present while chiseling away at my soul,

pouring water from an empty bowl,

and then…

Like buds in the spring blooming,

hope stood looming,

and bit by bit,

putting it back together,

this reassembly,

part renovation--

part renaissance.

Reflecting, this experiment of self--

a storm brewing before the rainbow,

spanning out, the horizon aglow,

I am grateful.

This pause in our nation,

giving birth to creation,

every day this practice,

like elastic ,

my mind expands,

not drastic but bit by bit,

and my hands open, ready to accept .

My ears open listening with respect,

hearing the muse,

hearing your views ,

I am imbued with lavender light.

A psychic energy pulsing--

ready for Pisces magic .

The alchemy inside of me is real and electric ,

if not prophetic.

I am doing the work,

shipping my heart out,

in tiny invisible internet sized gifts ,

filled to the brim with ideas ,

spilling out over the surface .

Dripping from my mouth to my fingers tips,

an eclipse of no,

a sunrise of yes.

I am in flow ,

and swimming with the tide,

rather than against it.

It’s almost been a year,

and lingering fears still whisper occasionally,

but their hold over me decreases,

with each new piece of art I share.

Wearing my identity with pride,

like a child donning a new costume,

not shying away or hiding ,

but scattering inspiration and unity ,

enwrapped in my community.

opportunities are boundless.

I am a foundling artist ,

rediscovering my insides ,

all the guts residing in there ,

my love abiding--

ready to lasso the moon ,

and leap into space,

and cutout stars.

Carving my name ,

and yours-- ours ,

for endless hours.

No need for time or rules,

I broke the box they came in.

Art, like the world, is infinite.