CALL ME BELOVED

I’m coming – bags tearing open
with all hopes we were promised.

I’ve unshattered the plates.
I’ve un-slammed each door.

I steal the breath out of raised voices,
I exhale satisfaction, I sing showtunes –

I sow stillness. Leave every room so quiet
under the blankets you’ll hear cicadas roar.

Peace is minutes away. It’s coming.
I’m bringing back long, slow sighs,

sought-after rest. The sadness is forever,
but so is the joy. I’m bringing it all –

steady hands, they only caress – watch,
your child never flinches. Bringing back

the boxed-up memories from basements,
look at the treasures, thrown and mixed with

everything we were promised. It’s coming.
All that love sent out, like corked bottles,

it all came back.