From “LOCK DOWN IMPROMPTKU”

Boyfriend snoring 
On the yoga mat

Who are you smooching
In the underworld?

*

He says you eat batshit
I say I love plums   plums    plums

*

No, I am not
Lonely
Denial is a river in Egypt

*

The bell rings
    Buddha
Wagging his tail

*

Hair flowing past my ass
White roots
Tincture of Autumn

*

Revolutions are bloody
Young militants
Sipping Frappuccino

*

Stone by stone
Democracy crumbling into
A race war

*

I am not exceptional
I am green

*

Two red ants
Licking up my calf
Not now, little sisters

*

Don’t say we are nothing
Year after year
The pear tree blossoms

From “Lock Down Impromptku” by Marilyn Chin. Copyright © 2021 by Marilyn Chin. Used with the permission of the poet.