you woke up before the wildlife
rolled out of bed
into the bathroom wall
and somehow managed
to stand and keep balance
while the shower head cried
and cried and cried and cried
for fifteen whole minutes
crying long enough
so that you could find purpose
so that you could find joy
so that you could find
your confidence
through breakfast you heard
the cars driving by
sounds of time passing
in hymns of soft winds
and then time got quiet
your thoughts on a highway
of plains and fields
a verdant terrain
the tempos and notes
a metronome swinging
a suitcase done zipping
[door closing behind]
at the gates of puppeteers
a revolving door veils
rotational faces
young men and women
with names but no faces
require your face
your certification
identification
the contents within
your suitcase of
pages and closets
and makeup and
hopes and your dreams
your skin type—genetics
reactions to strings
[you may go up]
this floor leads to the other floor
leading to the other floor
leading to—
full of kids upon children upon
adults upon girls upon boys
upon women upon men
lining up for the bathroom
to change: into trebles and clefs
into resonance and ranges
into liquid
rolling their suitcases single file
for their trip to the top floor
for their chance to meet
the puppet master
holes freshly opened
in the back of the neck
[head gone limp]
the top of the hands
[control me]
left and right kneecap
[at your command]