Grain Memory

A wishbone branch falls

from my Grandma Thelma’s oak

for me.

What do you know about magic? e¹ asks.

E bends e old body down, turns

the wishbone branch into

a cross, places it around my neck.

I am strapped at the Black River’s right shoulder,

remembering my Grandpa Mose never wore anything

but church.

My purple head begins to feel

cold as clergy, parched. I ask for water.

E gives me water and rice, says to repeat

after em:

           I am fly from nature. Nature fly. I am fly from

           nature.             Nature

           fly. I am fly from nature.             Nature

           fly. I am fly

           from nature. Nature fly. I am

           fly from nature. Nature fly.             I am fly from nature. Nature fly.

           Ah, I get it! It’s an affirmation, I say

                                            and e laughs in windoceansongs.

E whispers, Do not be trapped by language.

E voice begins to beat my chest

cavity in rhythm, chaff threshed from grain,

           separating me from need.

I thought I’d snapped             that wishbone branch myself. No.

                      I am fly from nature. Nature fly.

At dusk,

gleaming marigolds gathered

beneath my feet, singing:

We were stolen             shipped across the Atlantic

             invasive is a word             I heard

stolen             thrash thrash thrash             and we speak in bloom