Elmira Elvazova
LIFE SENTENCES
August is late and standing us up
among the lilies
now we are held up
at or against
our will
our will is like
learning to love again
through the opening
in the grasses
which it is a bell
in the morning
I couldn’t see the street
for the fog
the rain picked up
where I left off
thinking
of all the things
we should let happen
of their own accord
thinking justice
is like the time
I heard you say
into the crowded room
What is beautiful is not the object but the measure
you were reading me my rights
and I thought
this is an arresting life
A LAW UNTO ITSELF
When I missed my window
you brought me another
as in a replacement
for the opportunity
I missed
people give you second chances
then they really give you
second chances
what are you holding onto
if not other people
I am beholden to a place the sky
is not a looking glass
under which we made
a wrong turn
together
while driving down
to see the Falls
so it was right
there I saw the apple trees
barren from winter
the meadow remembered
something of green
I bade goodbye adieu, adieu
and promised to return
there having learned
something of modesty
there having remembered
my roots I’ll go
in on this with you
if you promise to give me my share
of what proceeds
I’m at the height of madness
at times I feel taller than the moon
it’s only when I hear
laughter coming from the railway
I’m standing under the avenues
watching a storm about to break
for you who are learning
or leaning into moods of sky
let me put this gently
here are the dark clouds
come to rain
