it’s night here and

the ambulances are blaring

one after the next

i wanted to give you this

in case time gets in the way

take in the air

like the first

like the last

fill your hands

with clay

with sand

with paint

fill your mouth

with lovers

with drink

with rage

but never default to revenge

eat your words

when you have to

(if you have to)

and don’t let them forget

you’re from the jungle

born from dark earth

the very clay dirt

formed by singed hands

in a coral hearth

what the fuck do they know?

-sheila c.