to be persisting

so you’ve been persistent
and it didn’t fix it
haven’t recovered yet
enough to convince
what then
to bet against
waking up
but you did
not in a been-grateful
breath-faithful
shouldn’t shame you into happiness

no, you got up
because you chose to
(and the heavens said “same”)
you saw a worth that did remain
even if 99 a different claim
that’s enough to eat something
to drink something
keep the lights on
and heat running

and it didn’t turn the tables
it didn’t clean the mess
but you cleaned your apartment
did the dishes, fold the rest
maybe even brushed
hair
teeth
breath and body, fresh

the part of you that would believe
despite the past that would distort it
a spark in the dark
could make the void not so
that’s quite something

so
sit down and let me speak truth
but first I need to look at you
look at me
there he is
I’m glad you’re here
how about you stay put