Marigold

by Erin McGrane

Call me by the name you knew (me by)
when last we knew each other
lemongrass, soot
lightening, eel

Speak to me in the way (you did)
when I was comet dust, and you were fire
when I was angel fish, and you were silt
at the bottom of the world.

Greet me with the touch I know (as you did)
when I was paint, and you were rain
when I was lint, and you a window
opening inward

Love me as you always will (and always have)
even when you are eyelid, and I am tear
even when you are a porcupine’s quill
and I am helium, lifting a green balloon

Paper, rock, scissors, sunlight
placenta, peach, ash, nail

Neither created nor destroyed
not creator or destroyer, ever
we will be a part of All.

Even when you are the marigold
bursting from my grave