This Is What I Do Instead of Dying
I check the news to tell me
what I know the great minds easy
in their thrones
I rattle in my brain’s cage
roll my heavy hopes uphill
It takes all kinds
….. of muscle all the animal
I am to build this life and all day long
……to live it
I check the news
……… but no one knows me
the great minds assign my worry
……and elation I tend their thrones
it takes all kinds of toll on me
……. I shake apart my hope
unfolds my worry sediments
I built this throne for you and for myself
……… I built these wings
..I’m ready I rise
……….. like the dickens
by Camille Rankine
from The Yale Review 1/22/25
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