Today's poem is by Lee Herrick

In Praise of Late Wonder
       

I've wondered what my Korean mother's voice
sounded like when I was born. Was it gasp, hiss,
or flag in light wind? I've wondered if she kissed
me before I became a wind, a white noise
in blue sky. I've wondered lately about joy.
Butterfly, hummingbird, angels so full of bliss
they almost sing. I imagine some of this
relates to the orphan I was, the adopted boys
and girls like me, all diaspora and alarm.
I've wondered if I'm made of smoke and fire.
Sometimes, clear sky. Sometimes, quiet storm.
I've wondered lately how the acoustic guitar
keeps its secrets, makes me float a little higher.
How could I not love looking at the stars?

Copyright © 2025 Lee Herrick All rights reserved
from In Praise of Late Wonder: New and Selected Poems
Gunpowder Poetry
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission