Courage (A Poem)
Miya Matsumune
Slow croak of
November darlings
Shooing death away.
They linger
In the backs of throats,
Legs splayed
To keep from slipping
Down the esophagus.
Crocus dreams
Inspire clenched teeth & fists.
Red hearts beat haywire.
Hope is not enough,
But they have their parents’
Gift for bitten tongues.
Warm, wet faith
Fishflops into something solid.
The stomach is patient
As they learn to accept.
After all, they will fall
One way or another.
It is only a matter of
Why.