Three Poems

EMILY AS A NEW, LARGE EMOTION

We could have
softly repeated
our dedications,

but we chose
to embrace
the singing

& the madness
that tickled us
into an ecstatic

healing that moves
too much
to ever be whole.

EMILY AS A QUESTION OF A SINNING

I braced for Lucille Clifton
to knock on my door
& applaud our choice

to become reckless voices
for love, at all times love,
a devious, searching love

& since she never showed,
some of the things Emily
& I do to each other

feel like they might be
done with an authority
we were never given.

EMILY AS THE GOLD WAS WAITING FOR US ON THE RIVERBANK

There is no undertow
in Ohio. We, most of us,
are ankle-wet

& whole next to the river.
Emily, she is in the river
& that makes her

part of everything now.
I am ankle-wet,
as I am Ohio

& I am letting her
move through me
without any questions.