I gave a long time
To know the difference between the Arizona sun in your Nana’s bones
And the swamp salt in between your Mother’s teeth
The time it took to
kiss your decay and taste your perfume
In the moments, beloved, you are
I have spent my decade
Searching for the secret to your grandfather’s permanence
and the lonely freedom your father made
But the time it took to
Give you half every time
In the moments, beloved, you are
In the future, witch
I open our morning door to the young women feathering its paint
And offer a cup of loose leaf tea while we wait for you to awaken
But the time it took to
Revere your being
In the moments, beloved, you are
May 6, 2026
arden briar smith