Tag: truth

  • Until

    Lately
    I have been careful
    with nouns.

    Once you name a thing
    you have to live
    with its name.

    Verbs are worse.

    Leave.
    End.
    Die.

    I don’t like
    what happens
    when you put a person
    in front of them.

    So—

    almost.

    maybe.

    not yet.

    I have lived years
    on words like these.

    But
    is a good word.

    So is until.

    You can live
    a long time
    inside an until.

    I once said
    this is ending

    and it ended.

    I know
    that isn’t how
    language works.

    Still.

    I have become very good
    at almost saying.

    A comma
    lets me continue.

    A question mark
    means I could still
    be wrong.

    But a period

    does not negotiate.

    There is something
    I have not said yet.

    I know the noun.

    I know the verb.

    I know exactly
    where the period goes.

    I just haven’t decided

    whether knowing
    and saying

    are the same thing

  • 109

    Orbits of grace

    At the in’s of me

    Right here

    I fall

    110

    Times a day

    Like something

    That still glows

    Tucked, under

    A single address

    My land of traumas

    Heightened with fear

    A place that holds

    My childhood

    So terrifyingly

    Deciphering torment

    And the inability

    To seek help

    From people

    Who watch you

    Fall, in less dirt

    Painful terrains

    This is Cuba – 1979

    Martyrs of disguise

    Making parenthood

    Less fiable

    As everyone

    Is too busy

    Surviving

    Their

    Own

    Imprisonment

    I’ve been

    A lonely walker

    For decades

    This life

    Has taught me

    To believe

    That above my name

    There is a vacancy

    A beautiful sky

    With blue lips

    That speak for me

    Making peace

    For the rest

    Of my existence

    Like a road

    That is long

    Yet spangled

  • Above Ground

    cartels quiver

    while man

    somewhat

    and unwillingly

    surrenders

    his fist, for love