Joy, Which is Also Violent: Emi, Jackie

March 23, 2020 Kate Belew with Emi, Jackie (New York)

The more profound a truth, the more reversible—

More is more, a friend used to always tell me.

Even the pigeons have left their perches

for a Monday eucharist of mud and rain

I used to think it was safer outside during rain and now unsure,

I don't think it's safe anywhere

but these bare walls have endured a harsher sky,

a more violent sadness, and then

joy, which is also violent— have you noticed?

The olive leaves have now turned green

And here I am, eating olives out of a jar on my floor,

pits bobbing in the juice, in the rain, inside.

I prune my flowering houseplants to save energy

I speak to them like I may a friend, can you believe? The

weather and the moon, they're always changing faces too.