i wrote this poem for myself and now i’m ready to share it with you

after “the light that came to lucille clifton”

the sight that came to alexis pauline

came through some shit unasked for

the fright of seeing those fondest shoulders

slam suddenly into pavement.  it was the summer

she knew that she did not know

where she was going

and how.  punctuated by the vehicle trash crashing

and then it got to be she was not mistress

of even the most simple itinerary

the sight that came to alexis pauline

came through unchosen sitting still

but sight insists upon itself in your face

and you ain’t going nowhere til you look here