under the western soapberry

three years ago // you walked on water // and we called it gestation

self-portrait, bad_french

under the western soapberry

three years ago
you walked on water 
and we called it gestation

merely a measure of proximity 
to sincere confidence

meanwhile arms marvel at the labor 
of April’s fruited branches bearing 
all that possible amber

with its poison        promised lather
soon her leaves will worry over it 

like a prayer         
wishes burning gold 
at the foot of a mother

I know you just as you hung from me
split the fruit of me open and arrived unbreathing

I hold you 
and I hold you 
and I cannot hold you

you are the good seed waiting to burst 
you are the fearless promise of what’s to come

you        muscling your way up the body of the magnolia tree 
are immeasurably alive

how will I ever explain this to you 

---

I’m doing a good job. You’re doing a good job.

-bad_french