relinquish
all those bad memories
the ones you dwell upon everyday
cannot come with you
there’s nothing you can do about them now
leave them behind in a burlap sack
tie it up
and toss it into the river
with wild dogs inside
pray the water chills them to the bone
all those you hold dear
hold tighter
they are your raft,
your fire,
and the sum of all your love
love harder
don’t lose your head
don’t lose your breath
but lose your fear
you are not obligated to care
about what others think of you
-s.b.