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

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?

Even my anger

At your asking

You ask

You ask me

You ask me to

Forgive the unforgivable

Touch the untouchable

Love the unlovable

You ask me to

forgive

touch

love

Even though

Even her

Even him

Even them

Even now