Christmas Eve, by George Inness

(227) Eve

To be named for breath, for anticipation, for change.
To be steady in either direction, to be solid with a clear center
To be wanton with innocent desire
To be needy like culture and seed
To be clear and quiet, starlight impending
To be raw and coarse and unfurled and shattering, ideas in shy dark
To be angry in the stillness
To be knocked cold by what hasn’t happened yet

To be hope
Regardless
To be kindness
Impervious
To be sorrow’s best and only chance

To be Eve, unending Eve, imperfect Eve, flawless Eve
To be, fully
Tonight
Every night.