Crescendo

2/21/16

On the first warm day we find a boy
cross-legged under the tallest pine in the park
and invite him to basketball.

We clear
leaves juice boxes
a strip of blue Trojan aluminum

from the court to play, soft wind
flipping my hem and hair, your collar,
real as touch.

I was kissed the first time
in this weather- unbelievable
warmth- and every future

unfolded in my mouth.
Not spring, but kisses now are laced.
We play.  We know what's coming.

Siren

2/15/16

I roll and watch him
as sirens strike a chorus
and flail red lights from the fire
station down the street.

How is he still asleep I'm thinking

as my whole chest
shrills and flexes.

In this vein I drag
up, as if through burdock,
strings and tendrils of what
never healed.

Maybe to kiss again,
or maybe to make the horrible
exquisite flight

one red cardinal made over and over
against the window of my living room
the first year I chose
to love
anyone.  Please

let it not be that battering.
Let the emergency that isn't mine

stay so, and my body
believe it.

Siren

2/15/16

I roll and watch him
as sirens strike chorus
and flail red lights from the fire
station down the street.

How is he still asleep I'm thinking

as my whole chest
shrills and flexes.

In this vein I drag
up, as if through burdock,
strings and tendrils of what
never healed.

Maybe to kiss again,
or maybe to make the horrible
exquisite flight

one red cardinal made over and over
against the window of my living room
the first year I chose
to love
anyone.  Please

let it not be that battering.
Let the emergency that isn't mine

stay so, and my body
believe it.

First language

2/1/16

Cut, I spill
the spit of voices
I was holding.
When you flung
me, your spade,
skyward.  Where no tool
should waver.
When.
The wet of your attention met
fire and shrank back.
You entered,
I spoke in tongues.
Now tongues come
searching for my mouth.
Ojalá.  Green shoots that appear
on a strange warm day.