What a difference a day can bring

woke up somewhere safe
somewhere quiet
somewhere the pain wasn’t the only thing in the room

warm air, open windows,
the smell of dirt thawing,
spring pushing up through winter’s bones

my auntie said come on
helped me outside, helped me move,
helped me remember my body is still mine

the creek was waiting, steady and sure,
she cupped water in her hands, let it slip through,
told me to listen to the wind,
And the way thst water never asks
where it’s going

she washed my hands, my arms, my head,
murmured prayers soft like river stones,
said this is how we let go, how we cleanse,
how we start again

the sun dried my skin
the water kept moving
and for the first time in too long
so did I