“My hope for you is that 
you will embrace your 
dervishness.” 
Her words landed
immediately 
on my lips 
in a smile.
My heart 
laughed with joy
while I watched the long, thick braids
of my childhood
spin with abandon,
like soft, lovely ribbons
on a breezy day.
What freedom 
to hear that 
my dervishness
is worthy of
embrace.