be in the world but do not be of the world—
in other words, my mother meant,
do what you are told. do not fall in
with heathens. do not be swayed.
do not drink or smoke or kiss.
do not start fires, do not engage—
in other words, don’t love this world too much.
ah, but i—i am buried in the soil
with all my friends and enemies—
these roots must not be exhumed;
they must reach through the earth
to touch the live lattice
of experience—and feel, and feel.
how i love the hallowed ground
which cradles my well-worn skin.
how i love this world,
in its gore and grit and glory.
so i will tell my children:
the only thing i am certain of
is that the heavens are best seen
when one’s back is pressed
into the soil.
so do not be of this world,
but for the love of God,
please be in it.
Jordyn Fouts is a poet & EFL teacher in Athens, Greece.
