<\/p>\n
Inadvertent Doorways
\nby
\nRadiance Angelina Petro<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The fledgling\u2019s ruffled, stubby wings,
\nthe spathes of skunk cabbages holding
\nbaby Buddhas in their purple hands,
\nMiriam breathing on the tambourine
\nand then starting to dance, spring Gabrielling
\ninto winter\u2019s womb, ghosts walking
\nthrough our little aversions, the fallen tree
\ntied down by brambles and tangled grass.<\/p>\n
Sitting by the creek, nibbling flakes of mica,
\nshadows identify themselves with us\u2014the light
\nbearing night, the hidden graves of babies
\nin the church yard\u2014all these inadvertent
\ndoorways to the soul, to tears, and the loosening
\nwords.<\/p>\n
The surprised eyes of the old woman
\nwith dementia, the moon\u2019s mirror over
\nthe pond\u2019s still waters, turtles falling
\noff logs shattering it all, the gliding
\nowl you will never see again, the bundled
\nyarrow stalks ready for the fortune teller\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n
OK\u2014I\u2019ll stop. Remember Elijah, who was taken
\nup to heaven fiery chariot and all?
\nThat won\u2019t be us. We go down with the turtles
\nonly to poke our painted faces out of the water,
\npretending nothing happened.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n