Oración

Abstract

Oración Emma Trelles (bio) At end a body a river a gesture of light Instead begin two lovers asleep in sheaths of cotton and belonging look now down the arrow of the street the frosted seathe true milk of it rare clouds veiling horizon oil rig taking more even more is not enough we will never stop I have always known this place the land insistent unfolding before we pulled from womb to shore before gulls bussed tables and trains rantheir mysteries before the polished heads of seals looked to the lamps that lure us into dark or screens fixed on mountains in their simple morning coatsnot edging piers or tiled roofs but filled with the peace of desolation I do not want to lose your mouth the breaths we takebetween blows open and wet how beautifully lonely each rock and weed animal spells the long tongues of aloes tasting night and drinking down the moon when you frame my face with your serious blue I might be ready when it comes ready as any minute or quick trip to judgementyour gaze a steady wing on sage bolt of vein inside my wrist still with me no matter how often I dream your grave we are all looking for water again is there not hope enough to scrape from the fading earth I see that promise in you a way of holding on your hands I will try to never forgetAfter when I take my last pause in a no-name terminal a city without eyes not even your song to guide me this flame we will not remember [End Page 125] I want to say might but we won’t particles to nebula we won’t know each other rush of cells a current it must be enough wishing you will be there just wishing [End Page 126] Emma Trelles Santa Barbara City College Emma Trelles Emma Trelles is Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara and the author of Tropicalia (University of Notre Dame Press). The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she has received fellowships from the Academy of American Poets, CantoMundo and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. She teaches at Santa Barbara City College and curates the Mission Poetry Series. Copyright © 2022 The Trustees of Indiana University