I become convinced 
of the infinite curve 
of love, write a poem
in which you soften 
me like gerunds. Me
a small noise, me 
without a mouth. I 
have always loved 
too much, or not 
enough. I want 
a home, a new 
slick leaf unfurling 
like a fist to an open
palm. My voice 
is an unnamed animal 
in the kingdom 
of impossible things, 
and I am made 
by loss. I make you 
a box of darkness 
with a bird in its heart. 
I’ve been standing
by water my whole 
damn life trying 
to get saved. I don’t 
know about you, 
but I just want 
to be held. 

lines by: Nate Marshall, Meg Day, Phillip B. Williams, Dorianne Laux, Aaron Coleman, Ada Limón, Nicole Terez Dutton, Terrence Hayes, Tiana Clark, Mary Ruefle.