For Kuba

Experimental poem using vertical line

For Kuba

i do not know your name-i just want to know
your hips-slow powerful strokes that understand
me in this room of silent passion-outside valiant boys
conquer towering foes even though they admittedly

want to be friends-to have syrupy pancakes-have
sleepovers-watch football-quip jokes-they share one
thing-a black desire to suffer while scaling a jutting
mount to garner acclaim-but long summer days need
to end before the fall just as earthy knowledge always
eclipses innocence-eventually those boys will cautiously
stumble through the forest of feelings called night-a thing kept
private and treasured like having your secret hidden inside

jrs 8.25.2025