give yourself away
note from self

talk with Ernesto who
begs on the corner
escort your friend to
encounters with chemo
attend to your sister
who’s just lost a child

we can’t walk it alone
it’s much too perplexing
and far too perverse
reach out a hand and
through all of the noise
give your attention

use yourself up
this very thing is
what we are meant for
unexpected but true
and the more you can give
the more that flows in
to pour outward again

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.