Momentarily Religious: Ashley Nussbaum

May 5, 2020 Kate Belew with Ashley Nussbaum (New York State)

What shimmering pool of belonging

What refreshing hand holds mine 

When I was young I thought that scorpions could speak

Entangling their whispers with my own devotion

What is it about deserts that make me momentarily religious.

But then again, the only crusade i've ever taken part in

is the one against myself. 

As I exhale a fresh breath of yesterday's joint

I know I will get over it, whatever it is and 

let the bottom fall out. A thousand cherries 

tumbling us towards sweetness.