three random moments
1.
i’m trying
to be what we mean
when referring to stubborn beauty/
relentless friendship
an unfreezable warmth
that does not require touch
to be intimate
2.
a lady was walking
down the street once & said
to her friend as they stepped
toward the bus stop, i’m
six cents short
and at that same moment
while getting into my car
i heard her
dug into my pocket
produced a nickel & a penny
said, here you go, she
said thankyou, we both
smiled & went on
where we were going
3.
i don’t know
if you have ever looked
into the dark
of that little hole
that tiny opening
that seems so infinite
willed yourself not to shake
or stutter
as, for whatever reason
& on whatever occasion
you chose to place yourself
squarely in front of
the steel asshole
of a gun in the hands
of the enemy
of the people
i don’t know, but if you have
then you know
what i mean when i say
you do nothing
but wait & hope
the breath you are holding
is not your last
—kalamu ya salaam