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.