Imagine

you better imagine
like your life depends
since it does.

that boredom out of which making
is made is the only thing.

consider that somebody first had to pick through all the prehistoric plants
& sniff & taste
& sometimes diarrhea or even die
just so you would know that a collard green with the right seasoning
is a season that lasts centuries.

consider that somebody gazed at a star & said
aight bet
& built a fire.

consider the first Negro
on the first plantation
who figured which way was north
maybe before they knew the word
for north
& ran.

consider my love
with the middle name the enslaved dreamed of
running towards. see how i move swift in her direction.
consider how love is a great idea
we keep having every day. we imagine
being together & that is the first step.