I grew up in the wake
of a wild and crazy sister.
Raised not to rock the boat,
I dared not dip
my paddle in the water’s
glassy surface.
The lessons I took
chained me to the mast,
drowned the inner siren call
that would free me at last.
It took a Meeting of Friends,
hours in sitting silence
for weeks and years
to hear that still small voice
through the buzzing
through the fears,
pierce the din inside
and let me hear
my own true voice
and know
I have a choice.
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