First: Do No Harm

Still, be inquisitive, take up space
and time because they are yours
to throw over your shoulder
in hours of need.

Drop the costume,
all the props, and bring yourself
to the window.
Watch the people go by.

Take time to hear the spaces
between language, the furrows, flicks
and frowns of faces. Bear
down, across; grin and bear
it; swallow over and over:
your fears; feel around
in the dark of others.

This is how
to best cast a spell:
die first to yourself
and look through your own hell.