Palimpsest, Urban

Sidewalk sprouted more
candles bouquets foil heart balloons,
swallowed a child whole
into its undercarriage.

Its breath copper alchemy and
lead, ruptured promises,
knee’s leaps over
cracked back superstitions.

On a corner you can app map
a reroute real simple.
Bend wheels round
less troubled avenues.

Ancient streets bear the same
names as new paved ones.
New paved ones leave out
eye sores, promise you gladness.

Author of the article

MJ is a Black, queer non-binary poet & parent living in Oakland, CA. Their work is featured or forthcoming at Kissing Dynamite, Rigorous Mag, & Borderlands Texas Poetry Review. They are an Assistant Poetry Editor at Foglifter Press. MJ has received fellowships from the Hurston/Wright Foundation, SF Writers Grotto, VONA, & Kearny Street Workshop. They are currently the Community Engagement Graduate Fellow in the MFA program at Mills College.