the only poem I’m sharing pre-release! || OUTSIDE

when I see you, 

the draw of your face 

speaks only of grace

how it’s tongue caught wind 

of our affections 

and sang promise over us

instead

a kept people

a pair of could be’s 

bowing at the voice of God

in the trees

until our lips crusted

over from crying 

until our knees — found roots. 

we are whisper-ripened fruit 

our song — surrender

Who knew listening was food? 

Who knew we’d live to see 

the aggravation of boundaries 

bring us into banquet feast? 

Into peace?

into pleasure that’s not temporary. 

I see the folks outside,

sometimes 

their skin a burnt bliss

drinking in a pointed heat that 

don’t say when it’s too much. 

I want to run with them — 

I do — like the way 

it looks, like it feels. 

looks like freakin

looks like play 

looks like touching 

deep into the lonely place

/

I know,

too much sun’ll peel 

your skin

but they free 

they say 

they move differently. 

and think we different 

but we just in the house. 

Can you tell 

when you come by, 

that me 

and them 

and we 

got the same disease?

a hunger that takes your clothes off without telling you you’re naked. 

Everybody sees you, 

and everybody likes to...

I think I’ll go outside, too. 

maybe I’ll stay a while. 

maybe, tell ‘em come inside, 

where it’s safe.

beckon them to wait. 

the waiting gets better.