a literary journal published by the Black Earth Institute dedicated to re-forging the links between art and spirit, earth and society
Out from the mask, cheek and tear
(center the center could wear)
Fist through an unfurling core
(Freedom’s new heart, forced to bear)
Five enforced children. (Who bore
(love in the bonds), bound bond’s care,
Ancestor-bound beating sphere)
honor your mouth / from which tore:
Cowrie shells / treasure and clear.
Will you come without learning?
Will you come if you can?
Will you come if you can’t?
Will you come?
Will you come till it moves you?
Will you come till you stop?
Will you come till you tremble,
And open, and rock?
Will you come till you’re ready,
Will you come when you are,
Will you come without knowing
What you don’t need to know?
Will you come like a fire?
Will you come like a star?
Will you come?
Will you come?
Will you come?
Annie Finch’s most recent books of poetry are The Poetry Witch Little Book of Spells and Spells: New and Selected Poems. She has also published Choice Words: Writers on Abortion and books for poets and poetry lovers, including The Body of Poetry: Essays on Women, Form, and the Poetic Self, An Exaltation of Forms: Contemporary Poets Celebrate the Diversity of Their Art, and A Poet’s Craft: A Comprehensive Guide to Making and Sharing Your Poetry. Annie’s poetry has been published in Poetry, The Paris Review, The New York Times, and The Penguin Book of Twentieth-Century American Poetry. She holds a Ph.D from Stanford University, has taught poetry at many universities, and served as Director of the Stonecoast MFA Program. Please check out her blog, inspirational Spellsletter, and online classes in poetic craft, meter, form, and Magic of Rhythmic Writing, a revolutionary system of self-awareness, at anniefinch.com.
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