june

a soul-thread thrumming

in the vibrant lethargy of wilted spring

magnetic hands flush in devotion

where the heat worn heavily riles

ghosts untethered in the veins

strikes an ache into the bones

joints unhinging in weighted thirst

inspires feral restless writhing

told to rot sweetly and roil

under the ruthlessness of the sun

in the din of the snake pit

sink in silt at home in the riverbed

told never to pick the wallflower

spared mercifully by the waymaker

little bird disoriented, relentless

cracks the windowpane

heat-sick blue-winged bounding

singed on scorching pavement

newborn and fearfully wailing

the uncertainty of motherlessness

starving listless in the wild green void

where willow fed of feathered thunder

birthed in violent violet skies

her blessed song chills the spine

of a sunken leaden moonbeam

ivory harp, asleep in the dead sea

and she’s a raging flame consuming

memories of an orphaned homestead

long belonging to no one: set free

withering daylilies beam and conspire

to kiss her ankles and i vow faithfully

to remember always to tread not

on asterisms of scorpion grass

where i’m there, and i’m not there

brought to bend in praise and slog

sharp smile shotgun hunting hungrily for sport

blood of new fruits and fresh-painted spores

terminally endeared and alive in her warmth

thank you, Lord

for June.