Don't Wait Poem by Clyde King

You can start anywhere
Don't ask permission
Or you may follow
Advice that kills your spirit

Don't wait for the words
To come to you
Just fling them out
Like you're throwing
Paint on that blank canvas

Or you're in a fist fight
Get in the first punch
Keep your chin down
Keep on swinging
Your soul depends on it

Let it happen
Like breathing
Like hearing
Like seeing
Do you have to think
About these

Find the place
In your heart
That must say
What you are

When that veil
Of illusion lifts
Swallow the manna
That your soul finds
Taste it's sweetness
On your tongue

Let it fill your belly
Let the ancient ruined
Voices speak
Telling you to let go
Of the lies you and others
Have been told

Say I am still here
You Sons-of-Bitches
I am not who you say
I am I am not looking
For your approval

I am not waiting
Any longer to have others write
My story tell my legacy
Hypnotize me with lies

No more will anyone
Or anything determine
My fate but me

Aug.2005