turns out it requires two cubic yards of soil to make heaven
a raised bed of enormous bok choy, kale, and collards that open
like spiraling green mouths

native pollinators smell sweet and herbal
the scent of honeysuckle wafts through the windows
on the cool, Detroit air as I rest my body
beside my friend

we fall asleep three nights in a row
talking about the roads we’ve trod together
about the days when we held each other
together at the seams

and three mornings in a row
we wake up to sit on the stoop
of the Garden of Eden
on the Eastside of Detroit in June

we smack our freshly plucked mint and lemon balm
before they are torn and sprinkled
into the peaches and watermelon and blueberries

this is love
we smile and say
almost disblieving
this is love