Breadcrumb #403

MELANIE CALANTROPIO

I wipe the sweat from my forehead and
admire the flowers -
I have waited all year for them to grow.
I have watered them,
felt their petals on my soft fingers,
clenched the soil between them and sobbed
on my knees, submissive to dirt
grateful
you tell me the beauty lies in the impermanence
but I long for something tangible
the sour taste of sap, dripping from you -
a promise.
when you are gone, they are flaccid
bent over, praying
for redemption
they turn to dust.
our daughter wants to know,
"will we disappear too?"

• • •

Breadcrumb #325

SAHINA JEROME

His fingers astounded me

His fingers played me better than my ex,

In fact

His fingers played me to the rolling hills,

To rollercoasters,

To just eyes rolled

In the back of my head --

A grin on my mouth

A grin down south.

A grin.

I saw the brightest of colors

I heard the sharpest of sounds

I felt light;

Spellbound.

Felt my heart and every pound.

God was like, "Yo, what the fuck?"
Priorities forgotten:

Bills huh? Loans who? Rent what?

With his hands, he blessed me

Though my body was his to worship

Like a memorized prayer

He knew me better than what he could understand.

• • •