'Twas the summer of '22
when I saw a wasp that flew
among Hibiscus
those Sun-forged hands nurtured and grew.
When I, too, having been wilted by far more than a drink or two, needed repotting via Root Work bone and sinew.

I escaped a glass prison, one no kin, friend, or even foe could visit.
I almost got re-committed,
but I found refuge in a garden just long enough to receive a vision.
You see,
it was the bees, trees, centipedes, ants, and soil on my pants from time spent on knees, pulling weeds,
who got to me
by speaking to me of simpler times that were and still could be.

You know, like how it was before I made my life's mission
to endlessly pursue silliness like power, status, and riches.
Irony is never finding peace in a diamond piece,
when it's something simple and free
like Steph's lavender tea and Balm of Lemon.

I learned during my bless-ed tenor,
Eve's a rehab,
specializing in both breaking the addiction of those hooked on consumption
and in the rekindling of one's love for who the Maker molded and formed them into.

'Tis a safe haven for any poet recovering from losing their inner voice
--one stomped and smothered by this monstrous cacophony masquerading as a "society."
When I arrived, torn and tattered, she offered no condemnation--only herbs, warm words, holistic healing, and a mic;
she composed the space that gave my poetic voice salvation.

For, it's not only flora and fauna growing here;
Steph grows sisters and brothers from another mothers, freedom fighters, soul spitters, health givers, block builders, and certified shit starters/trouble makers.

Thank you for bringing me back to life
and not even knowing it.
The snake of this garden only rids the foul critters and isn't one itself.

STEH-foe-nee-uh's
the queen of
the beekeepers and of
reminding anyone what they were ever the king and queen of.

Eve is the embodiment of the wake that is her divine turbulence.

From the Soul,

📕““No Rest for the Worry: Why I Turned off the News (Poem)” ” is a piece from my upcoming published anthology, “Return from the Pale Trail: Gifts to Humanity We’ve Been Taught to Forget.” I’m ecstatic to share this wonderful piece of literature with the family. I hope you all enjoy. Until then, feel free to check out my other published materials.