BEFORE MY PARENTS WERE BORN

Before my parents were born

I had braids coiled in tight spirals 

kept flat in a mother of pearl 

tear shaped case 

before my parents were born

my muscle tissue was moss

it held so much water

my features were flecks 

carved out of clay, gold sand 

caught in the cuts

before my parents were born

my face was a circle 

palm pivoted to clear

from a flour covered table 

before my parents were born 

this face rose up in steam

all blood not yet contained 

pulsing wrists and round hard knots

of working people’s shoulders

white light  parting violet clouds 

above humble traffic 

2 eyes cutting through time

soft white yellow pink

dandelion in a swamp

teeming with life