That’s Quite Enough: Emi, Jackie

April 14, 2020 Kate Belew With Emi, Jackie (New York City)

I once attended a lecture on sadness in sexuality

with a pocketful of tears gone stale, salt 

between my fingers saying "that's quite enough."

Dodging vulnerability the way swans dip their necks vertically

and here I am, in this room, listening 

to Lady Day in a dusty golden hour

with that driving bass line seducing sorrow

with an extended finger reaching to say 

How deep is the ocean?

How shallow are our graves?