Come Away

Nothing ever comes away easy

Not the bandage on your knee, nor the wax under your arm

Not the ink in the carpet, nor the scratch in the wood,

Not the bruise on your skin, nor the welt underneath

It comes away slow, drags heavily upon the earth

Like the weakening soul and its drudge to the grave,

Like the babe inching its way out of the safety of a womb

Come away, slow and reluctant,

Resisting the hands that gather you up

And raise you to a harsh brightness,

And welcome you to a world unknown