Beyond the Veil

Sisana Lazarus

I am the ocean of flesh and blood The ticking metre of breath and sweat Wandering on my tiny stilts

You are the girl who lives in the mirror Flushed and startled like the day we were born Weeping and laughing at the brave new world

You hate when people touch our hair Call us by the wrong name Think us fervid without good reason

You the foreigner and I the familiar I love you but I do not know you The way you have always known me

I think I am too far away To ever hold you And return your sombre crown

I say goodnight You stay awake And the rest will come when fate is done