Three Go Neutral Zone Orchard Fruit
Lesley Jenike

What deserted me said as it was walking away,
the sky, that hole to climb in, wired the spring
so in spring’s orchard electrify your propriety.

Never stone the butterfly or baptize your skin
in the start stop start of the river, spirit naked
and embarrassed on the bank. When day ends

and heaven meets pitched roof meets evening,
don’t be frightened. Yes, ghosts haunt our store
of grain but with the chaff predict what hand

disembodied once belonged to whose living.
What left me, in a cave drawing, appeared
again: Queen of phantasm, orgasm. Instinct

to shiver behind that cloud sliver saved it so
saved me. Its ferocity is furred and below
that, even further below no liquid, no just

a hot and unforgiving core. What forgot me
said, biting into that neutral zone orchard’s
fruit, This is my body and I give it up for you.

© 2007 Lesley Jenike