BY OLIVIA MELDRUM
While I am mistress of my mind,
You will sleep safely every hour.
No morning will you wake to find
My warmth turned cold, or sweetness sour.
A fragile burden do I bear
(O precious visitor; flesh brand-new) -
I forget my face and clothes and hair
In pain and consciousness of you.
My little one, your mama hurts.
She shakes at every strange man's gaze.
You've joined the Dance - this you deserve;
But our dance, dear, limps through a maze.
I am not mistress of my heart;
It is a top spun by His hand.
He knits your limbs; He tears me apart.
I wonder at our Maker's plan.
If you could choose - if you could know -
Perhaps you'd free me; your own life take.
But you and I are not our own.
Such choices are not ours to make.
I shall be mistress of my mind
So long as air still fills my lungs.
This voice is feeble, but it is mine:
It will see that your song is sung.
Forsaken fruit, I'll hold your hand
(Though my night be long; my sunrise far).
When I can't remember who I am,
You'll remind me, child, of what you are.
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