Leaked Boat

fourteen years ago
my mother slipped away______like____laughter___&
my father helped me swim_–out of_–the blueness of the ocean
six years ago
the ocean reddened__-& i______drowned________(a leaked boat)
this is how______________-it started_____i nursed my father’s illness_–too
my father______________________-a concave calabash
i didn’t know baskets wouldn’t care how & where you got water
i didn’t know my palms______-no matter how tight i cup them
would not hold water_________i became bones bare of skin
people say clouds_____________-no matter how thick & dark
soften___rain___& light_______-people say grief
no matter how deep its cave is_________pencils one day
finds a pillow_____a duvet___& gets cuddled by joy
i tell them why wounds leave scars___-to outlive forgetfulness
to fit in any tense’s dresses___________-don’t you think time
murders what mothered it___________-believe me
i’m not dolling dusk_________________-just homing it
till it hurts no more____scares no more__& only stars
if i tell you my parents are alive________like______-water
would you say______-in God’s right arm
& i’d say____________-yes______________-but i mean
anytime i’m yellowing___________-they dew
_______________________________________–any question again