Rayni Wekluk
I am summer sprinkler–plant shopping, picking up fresh
sourdough from Grandpa. Milk in the cupboard.
Mind, absent. Holy hell on the highway, windows
down in March. I get a call, I give a call. My IUD
consultation is Friday. I am already pregnant
with myself. Supposedly, I love you. How can I be so
cantered? Gut talk. Want to grab dinner tonight?
Walk by the house on Batt Blvd. where a cereal bowl
and spoon sit unturned in the lawn?
You are not the love of my life. Francis is
your Catholic name. I saw a shooting star right here
in the city. Blacked out–remember I forgot
to make a birthday wish last year with you
standing beside me? My cake had spiders on it. Daniel
is your father’s name. Pain is when
I say Universe, walk with me and no prayer
churns you. If I look good, I feel good. Top-shelf red.
Break the capers, break the bread. Take my name
under your tongue. Bird in girl world,
plenty of sky to hold each night. Plenty of moons to turn
you nothing-ward. After so long, I sing.