give me no seat at the table

let no trembling hands lay food on my plate

let me lord over no one and nothing

not the dog curled up in my bed

not the land nor children who wander

through my care         let me learn from the babies

and be always laughing at my ignorance

only humble discovery       give me

and keep my eyes on the pattern of birds’ wings

breaking the blue overhead           let me face

the ones I harm with open palms and let love

be the method and measure of my worth

keep my heart with my people

and the coal glowing beneath my feet

let me run and run and run and run

and let the flame of my torch never go out

I am here with you

to burn the house down

keep me to this          cut me down

before you let me lose my way