From “Mojave Ghost” [In the city, a weather of zeros-and-ones]
In the city, a weather of zeros-and-ones
cascades through rising static, while here
in this xeric topography, we fold ourselves
into the circumstance of desert foothills
chewed away by leprosies, toothed winds, and
sudden rains. Will you let me
approach you? Bend forward
and touch consequence, tenderness, leave
the trace of my fingertips
on your throat’s dimple, your
clavicle, nipple? Lean in. In
my mouth, the sound of
your name has changed.
From Mojave Ghost (New Directions, 2024) by Forrest Gander. Copyright © 2024 by Forrest Gander. Reprinted with the permission of the publisher.