Spring Equinox
The day is split into two perfect halves
As is my body
As is my life
And for one moment I am both
Her daughter
His lover
The earth’s clock pulses out its warning
It’s time
She’s ready for me
There he lies asleep in our bed
His breath gently rippling the sheets
I rise to prepare myself
Kiss his tattooed shoulder
I am allowed to hate this
Both the leaving and the coming back
And I am allowed to love this
How he takes me when he wants to
How he makes my body his solace
Even in my double life
My dutiful hours in the sun
I am his I am his I am his
I feel my feet on the warm earth
The sigh of green blades bending to wind
And little dots of flowers making their own return
Her voice calls–
Daughter, is that you?
I go to her, my head falling to her breast
We heave and cry as one
She knows I am different this time
The longer I live below, the more I’m shadowed
Marked with his love, the red of my insides
Darkening
Her face is worn by winter
Wandering, weeping
I must be hers a while
Soften the harsh reality of her fate
All around the earth sings its spring refrain–
Zoë Etkin is a Memphis based poet and somatic practitioner. She also runs Memphis Poetry Clique, which offers monthly readings, peer groups, and classes. Learn more about her at www.memphissomatichealing.com.
