by Danez Smith
I say I want what I have no language for
but really mean I want desire
without the body, without the I or anyone else
I'm convinced we only have teeth because we hunger
only hunger because to be alive means to need
Everything desires
Light for a surface to make it light at all
the virus for the cell, the flame for more
Name a thing alive that does not thirst
I want to praise it
Bring me any beast, I'll open his mouth
& march right in. I'm not scared of his teeth
his poison, his fire, or even his belly
I'm going to look at what I can't imagine
to see what inside him says eat.
Last updated November 07, 2022