You Ask

You Ask
by Elizabeth Ostler
Brooklyn, NY, USA

You ask me to come unto thee
You ask to make my burdens light
You ask me to place it all on your alter

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. But

Even the misplaced keys
When I’m already late
And the train is running local?

Even the heart shaped
Tumor developing faster
Than her prepubescent body?

Even the tectonic grief
Decimating my internal landscape
Swallowing me whole?

Even the fear
That he, that she, that they
Won’t be held to account?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Even my anger
                           At your asking

You ask
You ask me
You ask me to
Forgive the unforgivable
Touch the untouchable
Love the unlovable

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. You ask me to
                        forgive
                        touch
                        love

Even though
Even her
Even him
Even them
Even now