Aimee Wai

SWALLOW

tell me about the time the rain
lost its balance and didn’t have to fall

didn’t have to carve out the ocean
with two cupped hands

in this version
you are not a martyr

the world doesn’t cut you
like an open mouth

it’s not always best         you know
to see the best in people

save a river                      by jumping in
it doesn’t make sense, does it?

your name is written on my tongue
my name is spelled out in coffee stains

your hands are on my hips
holding me together

my heart is always reaching
always falling out of my chest

falling as in falling
always as in once

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