Like sage gives its scent when you crush it,
I knew exactly what he meant
turning from heaven to
come home to me —
lingering
like the fresh hope of morning.
(I want to say
listen
how your heart pounds inside me)
We meet on the street,
(Nothing was common
about the way we
stared at one another)
jumble about with kisses,
blossom on the threshold of abundance.
(I want to tell you,
I’m desperate for you, and
if I had three lives,
I’d marry you in two)
I have come now,
just say the word
He gave me kisses
so tender.
Look,
a golden omen
encircling us,
I touch it.
(I say
everything I write
will be about
loving
you)
Sources: [Maxine Chernoff, Denise Levertov, Roger Robinson, Layli Long Soldier, RK Fauth, Ada Limón, Anne Carson, Wislawa Szymborska, Jericho Brown, Sarah Russell, Ellen Bass, Warsan Shire, Ovid, Chris Abani, Maggie Smith, Alina Stefanescu, Patricia Smith]