Collage, Dancing with the Bones, 2010 by Deborah Singletary
I’m standing on the curb of a mountain
between here and there
Believing that I belong on the other side
Neither foot nor gaze takes me there
Heart pushes the skin of my chest
Shoulders curl me into imbalance on one leg and
I catch my breath before falling over
still on this side of who I am
Falling over the edge is the easy way out
Not like crossing over with a straight spine-loud voice-
hard work-determined attitude
Not like facing the fear with care less ness
Must do to breathe
Must be to live
Not like realizing that
As soon as it’s over
-the step, the leap, the land, the stand-
it is over
I am there
I am here on the other side
And it can only get warmer
drier, sunnier
Everything ahead of me
Copyright © 2011 by Hasna Muhammad
Hasna Muhammad, Ed. D. is the author of five collections of poetry: notesfromahousewife, Dear Alice, Next, Unconditional Freedom and Strength, and Birthmark. Dr. Muhammad is currently working on a collection of non-fiction titled Places to Stand. Dr. Muhammad’s work is a manifestation of her motherhood, sisterhood, womanhood, family, and travel around the world. She is also a public school district administrator and writes about educational leadership and renewal.
Go to: www.crumbnavigation.wordpress.com/about for more from Dr. Muhammad.
Deborah Singletary is believes that "Making art is a spiritual path and being an artist is like living a love story." The legacy of Harriet Tubman informs and inspires Deborah’s concept of what it means to help others actualize their dreams and visions. Find out more about the artist on her website: Vision Carriers.
Both poet and the artist speak here in different voices of embracing fate and dancing—with delicacy—on the edge.