Nakachi Clark-Kasimu
“You are my universe. You are my love.” — James Taylor, "There We Are"
“But no more grey mornings. I think I'd rather die.” — James Taylor, "Another Grey Morning"
you breath
you jasmine
you honeysuckle nap in the afternoon
you possibility unbuckled you point of it all
you sweet dream
you holy tongue you shimmering ankle
you tinkling fingertip along my jaw
you touch you whisper
you song
damn you
did they taste us somewhere on the salted rim of joy
did we embarrass sorrow
did we go too far
did our yes terrify the universe
were we too impossible
that she had to vomit us up to feel better
did we cut the lip of a fear that thought it had us
did we rend the shroud between epochs
were we too ancient too sacred too sound
did we wake the terrified neighbors into hope
did we stir an army of eternal gladness that would not wait
did we take the streets, did we rob the city
don't let them have us
don't let them take us a way that is not our way
don't rip your name from my chest
do not take the sight of your eyes in heat from above me
not sorrow not us not this wait
baby, don't be that way
*
you scream from the belly of night you
you judgment from a silent god you
you free fall from the precipice you
you crumpled flesh you you shattered bones you
you hated morning you
you endless day you useless flight
you prison of ache
you last chance
you purpose you point of it all
you loss you emptiness you trembling weeping goodbye
*
did the chrysalis know the butterfly she made would split her open and leave her
that they would marvel at the wings
and never look to the home
torn and hollow on the ground
did she look up before some crow lifted her from the ground
did she pray to be of use again before she got carried away
and when he heard her and laughed his goodbye
before they could get high enough for her to fly
did she say
baby
don't be that way
* Nakachi Clark-Kasimu is a poet, singer, and a spiraling wind living in Oakland, California.
