BABY
The word was new
for you, trying it on
inside her mouth
before you let it
through your own.
Like a precipice
you had to stand
a long while
in its vertigo
until it felt safe --
until you thought it a gift,
a rarest prayer offering,
which made you a god --
until one night you watched
her hand it out like candy
to many men more mortal.
He wears the shirt she chose for you
He waits for her where you waited
He writes poems, shadows of yours.
He is baby too, as is anyone
who is the next one to attend
unceasingly to her fears.
for you, trying it on
inside her mouth
before you let it
through your own.
Like a precipice
you had to stand
a long while
in its vertigo
until it felt safe --
until you thought it a gift,
a rarest prayer offering,
which made you a god --
until one night you watched
her hand it out like candy
to many men more mortal.
He wears the shirt she chose for you
He waits for her where you waited
He writes poems, shadows of yours.
He is baby too, as is anyone
who is the next one to attend
unceasingly to her fears.