a short swing and
a long dress.
feeling wanted
and needed
is good.
the river flows.
slow and long as
the community alongside.
praying for rain.
after days of sun.
brighter than.
the thousand smogs.
of Baltimore.

the air is clean, here.

swallow.
this is the last.
stuttering dregs.
in the bottom.
of a cracked cup.

follow.
making up.
your own mind.
is hard to do–
the shock of culture.

tomorrow.
a first step.
to future unknown.
the trying.
is the hardest part.

swallow.
the end is.
the beginning is.
the end–
and I am healed.

burn another down.
take the blame.
say your sorries.
and do it again.

flash the world through.
make it open.
make it new.
as I am me.
and you are you.

patience.
they say it is a virtue.

behind the lines.
behind the ball.
the past is waste.
the past is all.

below the cream.
below the signs.
the present stings.
the present sighs.

above the water.
above the lies.
the future calls.
the future blinds.