This is fragile me
The me shaken, not stricken
The Phoenix at night
Four rhythmic beats
Two words in West Indies timbre
And I was taken aback
Back, when I was something then
Again
Then again, back when I thought to dance
Those steps
Found me, easily
Those songs, those singers
Left me, heartily
Dancing alone, unknown
To me
No reason my heart ought beat
No logic
Save you, who saves me
From nothingness, thinks me something
From absence, brings me present
No reason, no logic
But perfect sense
I am not a concession
Stand down
I am not a tethering post
Anchor away
I present to you by choice
Just once
I bind to you in love
Not desperation
I’ll make no mistake
With you
You pretty poppy
In absence of evidence
Sentient and culpable
Gouged mine eyes
Conquered my brain
Euphoric rush
My soul, my skin
Rotted from without
Look at me
Look at me now!
From the depths of my downfall, I say
You pretty poppy
I’m sad like a leftover quart of rainbow sherbet purchased on last October’s last sizzling-hot day
I burst out of the schoolhouse that Autumn afternoon, determined to hold fast to my gratitude for the sun and the heat that’s fleeting that time of year
My only goal, to fight back against the falling back that steals my morning sunlight, even when I’m mindful
The temperature dropped the very next day, as did my heart, as did my interest in the rainbow, interest in the heat, my interest in the sherbet.
It’s almost June now, is just how sad
And so the bus took me
Careened into my path and made me say goodbye long before I’d feel able
The undercurrent drew my name
Encircled my entrenched legs, thinking, “Why wait another night?”
Here I live now
No where to sit except pretty
No place to swim but the deep
None ticket nor tide table in hand
These things are not needed
I am not God
But I know a truth
So I will say what
Let us recreate Woman
What the divine image!
Be she blessed
Let us grant her dominion
See these creatures
In need of a fruitful goddess
Let us know her abundance
Let us call her good
Let us rest
The thief has arrived, long in advance, and the theft has already begun
The all-too-familiar strategy…make them concede before sunrise
Their sleep, their breath, the hope for warmth today
NOW comes this, as it has, since before the beginning of time
The River Continuum -a respite, of sorts…a shimmering place, just for peace
Inhale the heat, take back the Now that is here
