POEM WITH AN OPEN WINDOW

ASHLEY ROACH-FREIMAN

circle                the                   endless              drain
the                          joyous                            solipsism
the mouth           the mouth   the mouth    the mouth
fixated on what is                    /                   what isn’t
memphis                I have                        such longing
the river mouth                              too big for witness
too wide                                         for nightswimming
you’re so real                                     there’s only light
trees rooted               /                       broken windows
that house I used to live in   /   longing   /  belonging
we’re somewhere                            in the middle now
train settles                           in me            a big groan
a big circle                               sunlight                right
before a storm                                                       here
I am                                 /                     stick a tooth in
pull blood like                 a flea like                      a tick
you’re gonna                          bring that weird weather
and show me where you(r)                   belong/ings are
your sky hat             /                           your wet leaves
meet me where                                 my wildness lives
rabbit                 crosses                          thunderstorm
watch me coming                              bedroom window
big mouth of the river opening                 /       closing

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