Little has hurt more than

rape

small bones pried apart

street echoes and fingers silencing

starvation, hallucinations

the absence of Acacia

the evocation of that stained robe

a solitary bloodletting on a curb

comfort without consideration

evacuation

the endless drone of helicopters

failing at what was most important

abstinence

being a blind accomplice to my own freedoms, denied

Nothing is more sublime than

kindness

photosynthesis

actions and words

my mother

feeling the music

shining

lovemaking

a meal shared with you

knowing that I’ve done this one thing right

the small hand curled inside my own

you

me