Gold

This life will wack you on the head 

like a spoon to an egg 

and your yolk will run 

out of all the cracks

Even as you scramble 

to put yourself back together again 

Sticky gold is everywhere 

and your shell is irreparable

Gather up the venom and violence 

that you have been given 

and turn it into violets and virtue 

because you are an alchemist

What magic sleeps under your tongue? 

Be a philanthropist 

The gold you make of yourself  

is the gift you give to us