UNTITLED

what was it then
woven blankets scratchy, like
shed caterpillar skins
I had never seen meteors before
or found black holes to nowhere
our spines resting in damp earth,
soiling our youth
for a while, thinking

what is it now
feeling the sky straight
ahead and touching the darkness,
with stretched eyelids. you
wanted nothing but
what this was
now that its then and not
now, or here

what was it then
smiles plump like grapefruits
chasing swift dog tails
and matted fur
picking out the red of rainbows
from bowls of dried fruit
tossed with salted nuts

where do you go to
his framed mug preserved
and holding you
at attention, soldier
from across the room

do you see him
sometimes
or often, or never
and weep

how does the water taste
now that he’s gone
like flowers
or paint, or maybe cigarettes

well,
what its like now

I can see the Antarctic
feel warmth like thick polar bear coats
heading up the mountain
and not missing oxford commas.

- Jane Shim UPenn 11'