Sport 24: Summer 2000
Lynn Davidson
Lynn Davidson
Hunger
Before I met you
we (not you and I)
sat in a Catholic chapel
writing.
I looked around and saw
that at one station
or another, Jesus fell
and saw his mother
and fell again.
Such intimate details,
I thought—
falling over and mothers—
then I felt hungry,
Jesus, I thought,
I'm hungry. I could
eat you up.
But if I ever open my mouth
for the wafer,
it will be in grateful knowledge
that it was made by
IHC clients down at
St Vincent de Paul's.
I will not be reborn
or cleansed, just a bit
happier.
And I'll think, how savage
how panoramic
how big
this little life is.
How to Eat Cape Gooseberries
for Chris
Sun-warmed
and one by one.
Stay close
to where you found them.
After they've rolled
from palm to mouth
there will be flare-ups
and husks on brittle hangers.
But these orange berries
that flare and disappear—
they're fruit, and should be
taken lightly.