Maker - Noaa Rienecker

In an extraordinary surge of mercy,
The universe produced you.

Someone had to do some listening, goddammit,
someone had to tend to these
sick and delusional apes,
to hold each frantic clenching fist
gently and with care.

That is why you are here.

It’s rare enough to find an honesty
so pure as simple listening
that to speak to you
is startling,
and feels like the quiet clarity
that comes in the settling
after crying
for a long time.

I have never encountered
a being so strange
or a beauty so complete.

There is a wisdom in you,
a knowing,
a magic,
a child’s playful charm
and a grandmother’s quiet love.

If you asked me to go away,
I’d be on the next train,
And if you asked me to,
I would kiss you deeply and without hesitation.

I am honored
By every starry night we’ve wondered at,
Every unspoken acknowledgement,
Every eyeroll at something stupid I said.

You are my friend.

There is mercy in this world,
And you’re it,
a sage amongst the gutterfolk,
a saint in combat boots bringing
a gentle word
and a little water
down from the realm of the devas
to the valley of the hungry ghosts.