Be in this World

Be in this World

Jordyn Fouts

be in the world but do not be of the world— 

in other words, my mother meant, 
do what you are told. do not fall in 
with heathens. do not be swayed. 
do not drink or smoke or kiss. 
do not start fires, do not engage— 

in other words, don’t love this world too much. 

ah, but i—i am buried in the soil 
with all my friends and enemies— 
these roots must not be exhumed; 
they must reach through the earth 
to touch the live lattice 
of experience—and feel, and feel. 
how i love the hallowed ground 
which cradles my well-worn skin. 
how i love this world, 
in its gore and grit and glory. 

so i will tell my children: 
the only thing i am certain of 
is that the heavens are best seen 
when one’s back is pressed 
into the soil. 
so do not be of this world, 
but for the love of God, 
please be in it. 

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Jordyn Fouts
Poet

Jordyn is a poet & EFL teacher in Athens, Greece
This essay is featured in Ekstasis Issue 10 Print Edition

Photography by Merton Wu