IT'S TIME TO GO
(for Kysha N. Brown-Robinson)
in the morning the fog will lift, then we must rise
up out of our bed of desires, of dreams whether fulfilled or
unrealized, whether passing through alone or with someone
yes, the rowing remains hard, life's oblivious water is wide
treacherous crosscurrents of chance & circumstance run
deep across this river's seductive face, which
as langston knew, is always desirous of a kiss
this poem is about our internal intimacies where we hurt
bone deep & tremble joyfully, uncontrollably
to be human is to remain responsive to spring optimism
new days & the struggle to turn personal corners, seek & find
our way to a brightness suggestive as the sweet time just after dawn
when the dew is warm, the sun strong & nothing is before us
but open road & an itch to get it on
—kalamu ya salaam