Time is a Mother

by Ocean Vuong

I’m doing it right now finally maybe I’m winning even if it just looks like my fingers are shaking

Oh no. The sadness is intensifying. How rude.

Because what I did with my one short beautiful life— was lose it on a winning streak.

none of us are children long enough to love it

I want to take care of our planet because I need a beautiful graveyard.

My favorite kind of darkness is the one inside us,

No shame in breakin’ open.

Because this mess I made I made with love.