big and small (poem 2/22)

when you are small, the world is big

in life’s great forest, you’re a twig

as you may snap if you’re not careful, careful you must be 

if you are blessed to grow a bud, and by god’s grace it blooms

you’ll join the ranks of those whose thanks come mostly from perfumes 

a silent word, a quiet thought, a third peculiar thing

they come together in a pot till steam begins to sing

when you are singing, you can fly above the tufts of trees 

but on your landing, take good care — you mustn’t skin your knees

when you are big, the world is small

you cannot feel a thing at all

you’re numb to little pricks and blisters, nonchalant and calm

and when you see a little twig, it’s strewn across your path 

it’s fallen to the ground, you see: well, you can do the math 

i’m in a place where thoughts abound, and dreams are clear as day

yet if i think too hard it seems i’ve got nothing to say

if i were big i’d burn too bright, and i don’t like goodbyes

it’s clear to me i’d rather be one star in endless skies