I Ride This World

from 2005. Revised.

I ride this world as if Ganesh himself
had placed me on his back.
I will fall as I have risen,
and I am content.

I do wish I was nothing again —
just my parent’s desire, strong enough
to come forth and be, too weak
to be more than that.

I wish I was nothing again
for Nothing is worth saving,
Nothing sits in the doorway and thinks
before taking a step either way.

Some of you understand this: A tree falls,
the elephant straightens. A leaf falls,
the tree lifts itself higher. What will happen
if I fall? Nothing, I pray. Nothing at all.