Poetry Thursday

Things I Will Tell My Children About Destiny 

~Cynthia Manick

                          You remind them

             of weighted tumbleweeds,

hen-egg brown. Don’t let

                           them take the rag-

             time beneath your skin.

        It stirs earth’s curvature

and a choir

of frogs

when you enter

             or leave a room. Don’t

             leave a swallow of juice

                    or milk in the fridge.

A body grieved

is a whole new body.

             Give your shadow a name

                          big as a star, see

              yourself out loud.

Pick wild irises                          the best gifts

              roll under a ribcage, leave

              open mouths splendid.

  

I like your smile unpenned.

Keep your bird-

              song close, imagine

                     an hourglass full

                         of architects and dreamers,

the first taste of fresh

              scooped ice cream.

                         You will learn to master

                         camouflage among ordinary things—

            men who spill words

not thoughts, trigger fingers

                           ready

                           to brand loose.

  

I love your smile unpenned.