Beloved Community
Can I hold what I know
in the moment
where it needs to be sung together?
Duets take time
need hearing, pairing
like dancing
Need rhythm, snapping fingers
loud pops like guideposts
Stay in the lane
watch for the sharp C
The upward slope—pause
Step back, into me as we sway together
Sing for me as a low hum
a gentle vibration.
I am standing
I am standing crooked
aching
Bent against a struggle
curved
I swoop to cup the drops
of imagination
Hope as curative
as liquid mercury
silvery and poisonous
if held too long
Hope wills itself
Letting potential death
fall through my fingers
Slide quickly
to the lowest point
then move forward.
I can be free
if
I can will hope
beat its waiting death.
