if drinking is bitter

after Rainer Maria Rilke

if drinking is bitter, 
change yourself to wine

     change 
yourself to fenceless
fields
     uproot
the posts
     bury
the gates in the river
     sink
the latches in quicksand
     dig 
deep in the soil
of your life
     remind 
yourself that your hands 
are strong saplings partnered 
with solid mountain feet

​if these chains bite 
     change 
yourself to freedom 
     change 
yourself to freedom