Definition:

to hold a thing accountable for being itself

to hold a thing at all

to pronounce each syllable of a name
with precision

to lean against a door stroking your keys
the way a man runs a blind hand over your nose
how I have missed you

to peek into a dark drawer
where a single pearl earring glows

to slam back into the seat of a park swing
after the chain's momentary release
at the crest

to be heavy

to whisper a lover's name into your palm
(which we've all done with startling consistency)

to fill your mouth with dirt and taste apples

Copyright © 2009 MRB Chelko All rights reserved
from Fourteen Hills
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission