Poetry: Up From Small by Patricia L Meek
UP FROM SMALL
by Patricia L. Meek
For Emily Carr
I was born enlarged,
more complete
than my polite culture
could contain.
In order to survive,
I consented to fit
into a teacup.
I dwelled in that dark,
as small as I could
for one having such an ancient heart—
a mighty drum, drum.
It was my father
who cracked the china
when I was nine.
I was safe no more.
Then, in some slip of day,
I drew MY rage.
Allowed myself to step into BIG.
Up from small.
Up from small
the mighty oak cracked
the acorn of its knowing
that it must push upward
or die.
Up from small,
I pushed upward
until I became the entire mountain
of my destiny.
Up from small.
Let no man constrain, tether, or tie
that which is God’s bidding to grow.
Up from small.
The grasshopper must leap forward
every day into blinding light.
That sunspot.
The quickening face of God.
______________
Patricia L. Meek won AWP Intro for Fiction, “The Crucified Bird,” and “Weather” was a 
2016 finalist for Rita Dove Award in Poetry. Author of Noah: a supernatural eco thriller, All Things Matter Press. Other work published by Natural Bridge, University of Missouri; Euphony Journal, University of Chicago, Puerto del Sol; REDUX #59; Sunstone Press; and The Penman Review. She taught English composition and creative writing, and holds a BA in Creative Writing from Louisiana State University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Wichita State University, and an MA in Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is currently a medical integration clinician (LPC) in Southern Colorado.
Website: patricialmeek.com