To You, Who Are Too Much
by Fatima Grace Vinluan
To you, who seem to think
That the world can’t handle you;
That you’re way too expansive
for the world’s measly palms,
To you, who keep receding
like an ocean keeping its tide low
So as not to spill over a flat-plate world
that demands you stay inside the circle to be palatable,
To you, who keep toning down your words and deeds,
Diluting them with dollops of apologies and excuses
So as not to taste too strong
to a world that couldn’t take its coffee without honey,
To you, who are way too much for this world
–And somehow thinks that’s a bad thing,
Be the vast ocean that you are.
Stretch, surge, and spill over
Until the plate cannot hold you
–Until you’re the one who holds it balanced
At the tip of your nose.
Be pure black coffee;
Unadulterated and untamed,
Unrestrained in your kicks and bold in your punches,
Wreaking havoc on the system of a drowsy world
Sleeping way beyond its time for waking.
To you, who are way too much for this world
–And somehow thinks that’s a bad thing–
Stay uncontainable.
