At the end of this poem, say your name out loud.

by James Lee Jobe

At the end of this poem, say your name out loud.
Close the book, or turn off the screen
And re-enter your life, but not the place where you exited.
Re-enter your life at the next sunrise.
Re-enter your life at the place where you stopped growing.
Re-enter your life at the place where you shut down
And start up again.
Everything that happened, every joy, every sorrow
Happened because of the grace of your life.
This existence belongs to you
And no other. No one else commands you.
At the end of this poem say your name out loud.
You are defined only by the walls you built yourself.
Tear them down now and walk away from the rubble.
Kick and pull and rage until the walls come down,
And re-enter your own life.
No one can stop you and no one can start you,
Friend, this life is yours.
Yours.
At the end of this poem say your name out loud.
This poem is over now.

James Lee Jobe
18 March 2020