Birth
July 2, 2026
Birth
A whole sea took up rent in me
paying in tears
and sweat, the salt
that brightens the tongue
off a lover’s skin, that sparks
the blood fuse—
See the storm clouds
swirl their dark gowns. See
the huge eye
calm and watching.
You will live, my mother
said, fluttering, helpless
broken bird. But even
she couldn’t see
the wave
gathering force, taking
its shape from me.
Never say sorry. Bow
only. Bow
to the bright
world erupting through
the skin of everything known.
