Monday, July 31, 2023

PHILIA

Shoot straight, 
god:

were we made to feel 
responsible 
for one another 

no matter what
or not? 

You'd think 
that a grammar 

of love
would be simple;

would flow 
with the changes, 

as it does
in the hymnals—

but intuitions 
and affections flicker 

like the red walls 
of vestibules 
packed with votive candles.
 
All of which is to say 
that, focused 
as we are 

by a little sanctity  
and ritual, 

the picture's 
not okay; 

we're still getting 
mixed signals.