valleys

i’m not brave like you,

mama 


the girl’s words

were the nectar

of the gods 


mama glanced

at the girl 

with long legs 

and umber curls, 

and eyes that looked like

sugared tea 


i know, 

rani 


mama’s words 

were the salt 

in the wounds 


for mama 

would move valleys

to reach the mountain


but the girl 

would move mountains

to reach the valley 


- anon