Oasis

Matthew Shenoda reads “Oasis.”

a transcription of the poem read on the home page of this issue

by Matthew Shenoda

it is not enough to lament
to acquiesce to the bordered divisions of country

only once in a person’s life
can the sun become perfectly whole

imbedded at the nape
reminiscent of home

all other moments
are those of simple humanity

cacophonous tapestries
of sun & cloud, sea & river

for a wanderer to savor
for an artist to breathe

here in this scorching sun
a signal towards life

beyond a road sign
or a finely finished chair

beyond the temple of a windstorm
inside the gliding stone of remembrance

beyond a box of ivory or wood
despite cowry adornment

a lover stands bare in this desert
facing her lover

offering only the sweat
from the small of her back

See more poems from Matthew Shenoda on The Fight & The Fiddle: “Refuge,” “Revelation: Africa: Diaspora,” and “Local.”

The Fight & The Fiddle