give me no seat at the table
let no trembling hands lay food on my plate
let me lord over no one and nothing
not the dog curled up in my bed
not the land nor children who wander
through my care let me learn from the babies
and be always laughing at my ignorance
only humble discovery give me
and keep my eyes on the pattern of birds’ wings
breaking the blue overhead let me face
the ones I harm with open palms and let love
be the method and measure of my worth
keep my heart with my people
and the coal glowing beneath my feet
let me run and run and run and run
and let the flame of my torch never go out
I am here with you
to burn the house down
keep me to this cut me down
before you let me lose my way