No More
\nBy
\nJoseph Anthony Petro<\/p>\n
\nNo more, he begged, crumbling to the floor, curling into a ball,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he said, standing, fists clenched, shoulders straight,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he whispered, gathering the frightened children in his arms,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he wept, looking at himself in the mirror,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he prayed, kneeling by the grave,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he shouted to the sky, to the endless road,
\nTo the silently falling snow,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he cried to his nightmares, as he entered them
\nWith handfuls of stars,
\nNo more.<\/p>\n
No more, he said to his tears, no more pretending
\nYou are laughter. Fall. Fall without shame or censor.
\nFall and water the roots of this moment.<\/p>\n
No more, he said to his rage, no more thinking you have no place.
\nDo what you will\u2014the world was created in fire.<\/p>\n
No more, he said to the memories, no more hiding.
\nIt is safe to breathe here, and to become light.<\/p>\n
No more, he said to his heart, no more denying our brokenness\u2014
\nLet us fall to pieces. There are those who will help us reassemble a way to live
\nAnd to love.<\/p>\n
No more, he said, taking his soul by the hand,
\nNo more going it alone.<\/p>\n
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