The Darkness Has Had Enough

The darkness has had enough 

It only wants to sulk or spit 

Knit back into the fabric of the night 

It wants to open its arms wide 

And take a full breath

Feeling the spread of fascia 

Over its ribs

It wants to know what it’s like to sleep

Late into the morning

Light fingering its way through the blinds

Waking up a little sick, a little damp 

A pit of hunger quaking in the belly 

It wants to walk through wintering trees 

Along a river and pause at the rustle

Of birds searching out food 

In the underbrush 

To sidle up to its lover’s back

And feel how skin sticks together 

When sweat and effort have been made

To look in the mirror and smile 

At being a body 

And not a void

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Zoë Etkin is a Memphis based poet and somatic practitioner. She also runs Memphis Poetry Clique, which offers monthly readings, peer groups, and classes. Learn more about her at www.memphissomatichealing.com.