rain in copper and violet

sing a song
balance another tear on your tongue

when i close my eyes
i see you sitting among the lovers
in my imagination

between the vibrato of an ocean rolling
and the flutter of a hummingbird
find the timber of your stories

i wonder if you love your guitar
like neruda loves the artichoke, woolen socks
wonder if it is precious and separate
or sits on your shoulder
like an arm, a shoulder blade
connected
strings, muscles, wood and bone

in ev'ry song you sing
find water
a falling shoulder, a resolution

if i could mouth your dreams
i'd blow them into pennies
for wishes at chinese fountains
kneeling against the gate
gazing on them beneath the koi
the orange flicker
find your fingers unafraid
to trail across the water

they find the chords
that will tell this story too

if i could
i'd open my mouth wide as you
like a young tree in a rainstorm
telling us of the broken promise

arching your back
singing as if to tell jesus
you are grateful for your gift


poem:
imani tolliver