Everyone’s and No One’s
The Work of Presence
by Mark Nepo
When “I can’t”
breaks down
into “Tell me who I am,”
When “I have no choice”
unravels
into “How can I help,”
When the tongue stuck in no
tires into yes,
the weight of everything
will explode into surprise,
and the pain of our knowing
will birth a love of strangers,
and the tools of tomorrow
will form safely
in the hearts
of our day.
When all we can do is freed
from all that has been done,
a presence that is everyone’s
and no one’s will keep
the inner time alive
the way the hearts
of young animals
beating while asleep
keep all the stars
in place.