August, 2007
Necklace
two strands
not one
one in this world
one in his
wrapped around me
soft stone
on flesh
my warm flesh
flesh that i trust
infant flesh
still soft
unworn
my soft animal body
my soft
animal
body
i remember her today
with trembling fingers
i feel her body
my body
with trembling heart
i touch her hand
wondering
is this real
does he really see me
this way
hold my hand
this way
does he love me
this way
the way
i have tried to love
could he feel for me
what i feel for this infant
his hand on me
as mine is on her
leap of faith
somersaulting through
the air
sailing
sailing with him
pregnant
with
his love
do i dare
give birth
to this
child
claim this child
as my own
as my flesh
and as my blood
this child
a child
with
no other father
could i believe
in his truth
that this child
is his child
or would
i stand by
and let it
be shot
illegitimate child
outcast
intruder
no real father
today she is mine
i claim her
with
two hands up
two hands up
in surrender to him
in surrender
to her
two strands
one in this world
and one
in his