Fall 2007 / Spring 2008

Aligned

by Opal Palmer Adisa

I
it was on a night
such as this
on the beach in itaparica
a lover marked
we with his language
chaining me forever
to that place
as you smiled
knowingly

since a little girl
i've been your devotee
waiting for you
to show your full round face
hanging low as a cow
ready to drop her calf
following you through all
your cycles    chanting your names
full moon         blue moon
two moons      hunter moon
beaver moon old moon
wolf moon       frost moon
paush poornima
new moon       snow moon
kartik poornium

II
then psychosis
and prophecy
wore the same dress
and a girl such
as i was          precocious
could bounce her jacks ball
seven times straight
sitting outside on the steps
with you illuminating her
was guaranteed good marks
in schools    praise
from    teachers
envy               from peers