A Crown of Dust

(a cento)


12

The stones, twittering distantly, speak to me

but how do you describe a color
you've never been allowed to see?

If not utter stillness, at least dedication

This song is not for your fight but it is a song
from the dark, landing in the creek

Thank you, objects, for your autobiographies.

I understand. I do. I used to lie back
so much. Let us strike, again, the pose of plenty.

I could have listened forever. But before long the dreams

switched to airplane mode, the atmosphere returned
pure as a body saddled with sentience.


Line sources:
Sarah Giragosian, Joshua Jennifer Espinoza, Anna Lena
Phillips Bell, Dean Rader, James Crews, Susan Firer,
Lisa Fay Coutley, Rose McLarney, Lynne Knight, Matthew
Prior, Kristine Ong Muslim