April

render jemis

i want to carry life upon my head
like a basket of groceries in spring
on the walk from the Safeway on M,

            like the snow of cherry blossoms
            coming to rest on my locs after frolic,
            i want to carry life upon my head.

i want to carry life upon my head
and the faint gingery smell of my
neighbors’ magnolias in my nose.

            like the wind lifts the fiery chant
            for freedom from every campus heart,
            i want to hoist life upon my very head.

i want to carry life upon my head
like your scent on borrowed shirt,
like your seashell on green altar cloth,

            like the cloud cap halo rests
            on mount Tacoma, mother of waters,
            i want to carry life upon my head.

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