Know the Wild that Wants You

when you were a boy you stuck
a thumb inside the light, inside the light
morning bottle warm
holy compass ready you would run into the wild, into the wild
gathered in its arms, in its arms

when you're in the city you're a tangled native tongue
another tongue eating fear for free
know the wild that wants you
know you're not another pillow on a gun drifting off to sleep
and come home

hear your own bones say "heal yourself, yourself"
hear your own heart moan
"love yourself, yourself"

when you were a girl salt was beading down your back
and all the braves were tangled in your hair candy for your lips
and for your love all you were given was a bruise
falling down the stairs

when you're in the city and its talking to itself, to itself
stealing what you sing
know the wild that wants you
when the sun is underground
and park police are laughing off your leaves
hear your own bones say "heal yourself, yourself"
hear your own heart moan "love yourself, yourself
and come home"