Exit Wound

the tearful child belongs to the earth
the same earth drowning the child
the same world sprouting the plants
that awaits the gift the child bears
the tearful child belongs to the earth
the same earth that houses the child
sends the child away out of boredom
and drowns the child when she returns
the tearful child belongs to the earth
with her brother as the vampire that
sucks her drops beneath him to stay
alive and to glow as either wet or dry
the tearful child belongs to the earth
as water that evaporates to the sky
and returns a rainbow smile as rain.

Tomide Abdul