Transposon
by Sania Ali


the rain is falling on my head and
the drops seep through my skull
like thoughts of you
condensing into matter


between my thumbs is

a message you once wrote me

encased in the glass of a bottle

bobbing away from the sea



ripened blackberries bleed into
my veins and reach my heart only
to turn red again, virgin
like my love for you


the grains of sand can’t keep time

as we traverse through ocean waves

kept still by the sway of your hips

and the firm press of our fingertips


we both have been here years before
in this cabin ingrained with maple
memories of a time I once loved you
like crimson ashes turning to fire

in the darkness of the morning you

will lean in to kiss me with

dew glistening on parted tulips

heavy with water from yesterday’s rain


fresh salted pepper shrimps crackle
on the grill as we toss our clothes
away to go swimming in
each other’s gaze


the rain is falling on my head and

the drops seep through my skull

like thoughts of you

condensing into matter



you are pouring a bottle of merlot
as I take a sip from your lips
only to taste our love
fermenting into nothing