Coming Out

by Dianne Dibb Forbis

Some hatchings hurt:

The cracking

of a hardened

fallacy.

The shatter-crumble

of a bias

bind.

And the new learning

softness

is so very tender.

It’s frightening to be

nothing more

than palest puff

that peeps.

And so remember

and remember

clarion call

to shelter:

“I will gather …

as a hen

gathereth

her chickens

under her wings …”

A place to grow

in strength.