gliding into the barysphere
a fountain pen’s mouth dips into
a pot of ink, auctioning words
white paper, a declaration of closeness
a claim to proximity
a body and its neighbor
how do you get close enough
to declare
closeness? how do you
glide into the barysphere?
easy
first, you circle it, dance around it just
like a harvest dance
you prime it for ripening, you ease its surfaces
second, you give it gentleness
behold a petal in your calloused hands
contrast the tenderness and strife
let it bloom!
third, you beg the surface
get down on all fours and scream
guttural and resounding
make the barysphere listen
open its ears!
fourth, you watch it emerge &
loosen its hold on rigidity
you look for an opening
achilles’ heel
fifth, you touch the barysphere
make sure it exists
make sure you exist
last,
you glide.
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Poem © Natasha W. Muhanji
Image: Pixabay remixed