Eloise, Be Kind

darling put your sword away
you’ve never been good for you
inflicting wounds upon yourself
with words that were never true

you crash in like a crisis
despairing like breaths
in a brown paper bag
twisting and turning
all-energy burning
you end in a state of jet lag

be kind to yourself sweetheart
like roses are kind to the eye
take steps to entangle
your self-contained wrangle
reclaim that old glint in your eye

sweep softly along for a second
like swans swim on
Jadewater creek
turn outward your rage
to encase it
enslaved
I’m afraid there is nothing so bleak

peonies blossom
they dream you’ve forgotten
to think of
what terrors may loom
you’re beautiful here
devoid of all fear
like the light
that disperses the gloom

allow yourself time
recover your mind
dreams
yours
sit waiting
a truce
unmarked by the years
wishes for their peers
each such a treasured
recluse

have patience
pretend
we are children again
concerned only with playtime
not mud
on our knees
we share
for we should
and say please
for its good
to be good
Eloise
water’s weaker than blood
so dear please

be kind first to yourself