Am Not

YHWH
spoke to the runaway shepherd-prince
said I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am
echoed through the desert valley
eternal
urgent
sure

said I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am that I Am
knew who He was

I, on the other hand,
am not

that adept
at living
sure
simple
present

I tried to keep plain
but overshot the desert
moved to the suburbs
bought a house
hung curtains
planted lavender
birthed babies

I am not I Am
I do not Be
Simple present does not satisfy

I have been
and those I am from
remain there

I will be
and I will be

I need a gerund
an –ing
movement

Not
urban
neon
transcontinental

Just walking
or running through parking lots
grateful for legs

I am turning a page
holding the corner
ready for the next
calligraphied T
and the indent

I am roles and titles
goals and letters
counting

Teacher-Wife
Student-Mother
Participant
I am that

not barefoot
on burning sand
but standing
with a wooden toe
on a spire

I -ing