Wave

by Stephen Joffe

you will change

         every day-

                            it’s just a question

                                     of whether

                                                        you do it by accident

                                                                 or on purpose.

                                                        you will rip the stitch,

                                                                 & watch a life

                            run helplessly across

                                     your fingers-

but you must wash

         the wound.

& when it closes

         you must

                            let love move through

                                     those hands,

                                                        again & again & again

                                                                 until the small

                                                                                                       wave

                                                        gives way to a bigger

                                                                 one. you will

                            love too much, this

                                     is your gift,

as the bird in the cage

         sings freely.

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Stephen Joffe is an award-winning actor, musician, writer, and sound designer based in Toronto. He has previously been published as a playwright, songwriter (Birds of Bellwoods, etc.), and poet.