as inside me is a black-eyed animal,
the umbilicus from which everything originates—
(I have no origin story)—
unburdened by conscience, like a baby,
the umbilicus from which everything originates.
I wonder if Jesus wants souls like the Devil does:
unburdened by conscience, like a baby,
the list of pallbearers still in a drawer somewhere.
(I betcha shapeshifters want souls like devils do:
their hinges turning,
the list of pallbearers still in a drawer somewhere,
an existential jambalaya;
their hinges turning,
a clamor of voltas or
some existential jambalaya?)
My only fear: fear of a virtuous mob—
a clamor of voltas
shaped like a silver tongue.
My deepest fear?—a virtuous mob
of mother wit & mother woe.
Shaped like a silver tongue
I have no origin story
of mother wit & mother woe.
Inside me is a black-eyed animal.
From Blue on a Blue Palette (BOA Editions, 2024). Copyright © 2024 by Lynne Thompson. Reprinted with the permission of the poet.