The life I should be living (a poem)

Birds
Photo by shutter41 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/
24277960@N08/2609390501/.

the life I should be living
thrives in words I don’t speak
actions I don’t take
emotions I don’t betray

the life I should be living
is more real to me some days
than your voice, your touch,
your face, your heart

the live I should be living
looms aside me
tempting me to jump
away from solid ground

the live I should be living
whispers that I can fly
that my wings can be
that my wings will take me high

the life I should be living
tells me that I belong there
that I will be able to breathe
that the knot of dread will disappear

the life I should be living
beckons me with promises
that my grays will be wonderous
reds and blues and greens

the life I should be living
draws me closer
beckons
calls

but I live here

I don’t jump

I don’t fly

I don’t breathe

I don’t move

I don’t claim the life I should be living

Photo credit:
Photo by shutter41 at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24277960@N08/2609390501/.

Lorna Dee Cervantes

Lorna Dee Cervantes is an accomplished and award-winning poet, a restless activist, and an insightful artist. I was fortunate enough to study with her briefly, and, while my poetry may never reach the potential she envisioned, it is better because of her influence. She writes, teaches, and lives as a Chicana and a Feminist; she is a role model in a world where few exist for Latina/Chicana/Mexicana writers. This week’s feature is the suggested reading is of her poems. Enjoy!