By: Khalilah Okeke

Angel

Her eyes are celestine crystals.

Healing through their watchful gaze.

I thread them like beads
to wear around my neck

so I can see.

Her song a scribbled scroll
tongue lapping waves—
words passing like frosted breath.
.
Stone smoothed clean

beneath her ocean.

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Gypsy

I like words in the morning

with my coffee and cigarette.

A peony painted sky –
breathing through the window.

Life—a spread of
ornamental cards
gold-frosted borders.

A room enchanted by
prayers.

I love candles in the morning
their flickering heat dancing
to a meditative chant.

Crosses covered in shells
the sun’s rays reaching its fingers—
climbing over the neighbor’s house.

I like canvases displayed in
the windowsill,
where the waking light shines through

scattering shapes of color
on naked walls.
Pinned butterflies
breaking through the
glass—

fluttering –
home.

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