[we are]

we are

prayer in the long boat

                                               a rhizomatic scream

                                               surrounded by the dark dagger

                                                                        of the ocean

                         scripture

                         in its entirety

                         is anticipation of the lilt

                                                   and yet



there is no word

for the rhythm

             we endure

             across this dirtless moment

                                                    antibird, we sing like birds

                                                    textured and untrained

             rugged the love

             that claps

in the chasm of our black palms

Credit

Copyright © 2019 by Quenton Baker. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on August 28, 2019, by the Academy of American Poets.

About this Poem

“This poem is part of a commissioned series on homage. I chose this (tense-shifted) Nathaniel Mackey line, from ‘Anouman Sandrofia’ in Nod House (New Directions, 2011), because I am deeply indebted to not only his ability to create a new English, but also his attention to the weight and sonic composition of the line. His work is among the work of many phenomenal poets which have made and continue to make my own work possible.”

—Quenton Baker