I used to have a hard time
waking in the morning
under the weight of so many
shoulds and responsibilities.

And now, look!
how easy it is for me to rise
now that all there is for me to do
is whirl!

Friend, thank you for turning
this whole dutifully spinning world
into a wild dervish.

Thank you for turning my dutifully
thudding heart
into the ecstatic drum
this whole world
is dancing to.

From Susceptible to Light: Poetry by Chelan Harkin.
Chelan will be the Poet-in-Residence at Awaken 2023, Illuman’s annual men’s gathering, September 14-17 at Shrine Mont, Virginia. 

(Photo credit: Hulki Okan Tabak)