wherever you are

by Maya Stein

Wherever you are, be there. Take up space. Occupy the full dimension. 
Unfold the map of your body. Celebrate its topographical wonder,
its unpredictable weather. Make a pool of your movements, then swim
through the ripples, parting the room with your footsteps. Make no apology
for the squeak of your soles, how your jacket swishes at your thighs, that the dust
is making you sneeze. Consider it all a kind of orchestra, you tuning the keys,
you lifting the horn of your whole self to the air. Let the notes of you blast out,
at a register and speed that won’t leave you hungry or empty. Let anyone hear, 
as they walk by with their shoulders up, pretending not to listen. Wherever you are,
remember why you are here: to sing.

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Printed with kind permission of Maya Stein