The Ritual

A poem by Julia R. DeStefano

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

The Ritual

I sat up on the couch with my writing

to pump the poison from my veins

because the world pollutes me.

But the poison becomes thicker with each day

and it takes much prodding from my pen -

the extractor, the purifier -

to descend into the recesses of my mind,

that place I would rather not visit.

I must be quick -

move feverishly in this, the purging of my soul

onto the immortal page.

Only then do I feel the desire for life opening inside of me -

that wild parade of love,

awash with renewed peace,

and a smile gathers upon my lips

in celebration of the woman that I am.

© Julia R. DeStefano