Omotara James

The Good News

Because I believe you cannot stop a thing from existing
even if you kill it
is how I loved you

Because in my thickest vibrato, I sing for Sarah
even though she cannot hear me
is how I loved you

Because I crouch under the tilted sky,
even as these knees choke on their age
is how I loved you

Because rain melts the February snow, renders the sun redundant
even if it's just because I say so
is how I loved you

Because my tongue points true north
even with this mouth of ghosts and hard swallows
is how I loved you

Because is how I loved you
Even is how I loved you
is how

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Omotara James is the recipient of Slice Literary’s Bridging the Gap Award for Emerging Poets, as well as the Nancy P. Schnader Academy of American Poets Award and is a 2017 Lambda Literary Fellow. Her work has appeared in The Poetry Project, Winter Tangerine, Crabfat Magazine, and elsewhere. She has received scholarships from Cave Canem and the Home School. For contact, please visit omotarajames.com