crawdads snails and striders
in pockets of droughted creek
with Evyn, who has been kind
since childhood, and wanting
to be that kind, the kind
of creature who bursts through
the water and makes grown
women laugh like babies
at Gulf Shores, remembering
their entire lives in full
upon the glance of a dolphin,
to be a knight in shining promises
pilling irises behind the miracle
that wishes you home one more
time before the firing squad
assassinates. turning to feel
the bonfire on the calves.
listening to Ocean talk or Ada
read. the pink bruise of meaning
kiss. understanding the joke.