To The Core

Underneath the polished exterior,
Behind the bushes, down the tunnel.
Locked behind appropriateness, acceptability
Lies the mystery of your life.

Can you hear the call, can you feel hunger,
even when it defies all you knew your road to be.
Can you lay it all down?
Let the wind take you up and whip you about, rip you open from the inside.
Can you stand empty, motionless, expunged
And be grateful for the beating.
Thank you.

– Lori Ellis (2011)