We, firstborn, found ourselves

standing outside, knocked off center,

deemed less than deserving—

You, who fell into line

and walked in circles

hoping to earn the right

to one day break free

after you notched it out

and played the part.

I, who refused to dance

to the piper’s tune

seeking to stick it out

long enough to be 

welcomed back into 

the fold and loved.

We, firstborn, lost ourselves

sitting inside, brought to center, 

called out as most deserving—

I, who let go of everything

and float somewhere

outside the boundary

drawn around your heart,

have had blind faith

and become deaf 

to anything other than

God’s voice and yours.

You, who cling tightly

to all you’ve ever known

and push away anything

that would threaten the beliefs

you have built kingdoms upon,

have eyes that have seen so much

and keen ears opened to hear 

God’s voice and mine.