LOVE IS A BUNDLE OF TEACHINGS
By Moira J.
love is a bundle of teachings
is your momma burning sage after school
until your hair becomes thick and
cleansed with smoke
is another word for a wound
wound is another word for a person
who loved you until they decided
your trauma was too heavy
for their lungs
as if they were breathing in tragedy
and not you
a person is the smell trapped in your blankets
the word for breakup sex is salt
salt can be used to enhance or suppress
suppress is what happened to your people
is the way English feels on your tongue
tongue is the creature exploring old thighs
and building homes from spit
as if you could find shelter for your body
by being dominated by another
finding shelter can mean to find or take protection
protection is when you got enough change
for a cigarette to give tobacco to tsét’soyé
and know all you can offer are blessings
blessings are what your momma taught you
is the way you thank a man for gripping your throat
throat is home for song and prayer
prayer is when you ask for the fists to stop
is when you wish to die and find hope
hope is a word scratching at disbelief
and asking you to give it a new name.