Kimberly Wolf

Homecoming

At a red light, a roadside cross half submerged in flood water
speaks to me, says
We live in the swamp, and we die in the swamp
and if you try to leave, it’ll follow you
brackish water leaking from your eyes, your mouth
all discarded scrap metal and blown out tires in your wake
in your eyes
something sunk low and full of venom
you’ll drag it alongside you your whole damn life
and you’ll try to outrun it
but you can’t go far when the mud turns quicksand
when the storm comes to churn up what lies at the bottom
you’ll tilt your head up to that sky
oh yes
you’ll open your mouth and sing
on the day you come home

Kimberly Wolf

Kimberly Wolf is a poet and parent living in Texas. Her chapbook, How the Frogs Get Married, is out now through Bullshit Lit. You can read more of her work at www.kimberlywolfpoet.com. You can follow her on Twitter @KimmieWolf.