sorrows
by Lucille Clifton

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who would believe them winged
who would believe they could be

beautiful who would believe
they could fall so in love with mortals

that they would attach themselves
as scars attach and ride the skin


sometimes we hear them in our dreams
rattling their skulls clicking their bony fingers

envying our crackling hair
our spice filled flesh


they have heard me beseeching
as I whispered into my own

cupped hands enough not me again
enough but who can distinguish

one human voice
amid such choruses of desire

"sorrows" by Lucille Clifton, from COLLECTED POEMS by Lucille Clifton, copyright © 2012 BOA Editions. Used by permission of BOA Editions.