The Naming of Things

From a young age, I acted

From a place of fear.

A fear of transgression, then

A fear of retribution, then

A quiet fear that this would be right

And warranted.

It has been a project of years, to allow myself

A gracious unwinding. To allow myself

People and places who could

Direct my eyes inward. Who could

Teach me to name what I felt,

Which is vital,

For it is in the naming of things that they are

Given form, that they may be

Held in our hands, that they may be

Weighed,

Praised,

Loved,

Or let go.