ode to lithium #1: the watchman
BY SHIRA ERLICHMAN
How this, sparkler in the night’s black field, lighting up my brain
with love How did they do it before you ‐ survive Your elegance
of salt, rock, & sleep, who invented How can such a small watchman
keep safe all my hills & homes Why pink, your face ‐ not cobalt,
green, or just white Who thought you deserved your delicate hue
What do my organs think of your soft arrival each day Who unlocks
the door to let you in, like a wet cat How did you lift the heaviest
season from my eyelids, sweeping away a whole cloud How do you
pollinate my blood so exactly with sanity Does my brain’s infinite
heart burden you Why find my grandmother too late
Why not kiss everyone who needs your fix Why leave some
to their singed waves Who do you speak to in my body that listens