soft but determined

she lifts the light-wristed flight she feels beating against her ribcage

against the weight of recognized reason

hope, it has been said, is feathered

even marketable

but her rhythm, her keys

kind of sink and breathe

waiting for cadence

and uptake

and so we invite the pianist

to play all that we feel

all that we’ve ever felt

in the bones and earth of us

and what is sure to come