Each Other's Eshu

African American Review, Winter, 2003 by Valorie Thomas

Each Other's Eshu

   complexities of context
   give us each other
   marcasite around the curve of the heart
   that is not on any sleeve
   maybe I am a little expanded a little convex around you
   stumbling where
   outside begins
   while swiftly
   simple ellipses
   stutter inside

   each other's purveyors of chance from outside in
   architects of compassion
   wading through
   mountains of fools gold
   to breach barricaded walls
   knock worlds upside down
   land where we have already fallen
   waiting again
   for a revelation
   already come to pass

   what is this ship of your imagination
   where is the flywheel
   will you know me
   when I roll in on the next tide
   will you cross the gangplank
   of the first embrace
   unmasked
   whisper your oration of abalone shells
   pearl skyward
   breath filling
   an empty sail

Valorie Thomas is an Assistant Professor of English and the Intercollegiate Department of Black Studies at Pomona College, in Claremont, California. Dr. Thomas belongs to the Djamsay Writers Workshop, Los Angeles, CA.