What I Ask For

an optic nerve of streaking tie-dye 20-20 crystal balls 
sudden dawn of a Homeboy in phase with his unfolding religion  

I am careful what I ask for 
knowing that in my pulsing hungers 
I will tap the glass eye of a gimp compass 
I will follow crumbs of moldy Wonder Bread to find the vanilla-scented
home of the Sugarcane Priestess 
who sweetens my hopeful delirium  

She is ancient understands unspoken posture of my need  
She is so hip realigns round shoulders of my magic  

what if your unrehearsed appearance heralds the age of destination?  

what if the unfolding shadows of your cane-cloth wrap the dance to your music
siphons the source of my indigo moods?  

what if your accelerated touch 
the stroke of silken intelligence  

can lance the melancholy hovering over me  
since time began? 

Credit

Copyright © 2022 by Peter J. Harris. This poem appeared in Safe Arms (FlowerSong Press, 2022)Used with permission of the author.