how to talk to the moon
BY BEN PURKERT
raise your voice above the lights of the city
the street sweeping the hills the clouds
in no rush clear your throat
loosen the knots in your chest
like a hundred strings from a hundred
black balloons there’s nothing
in the sky you can’t stab with a pin
there’s nowhere too cool for a flag
everyone is welcome even your friends
of friends when the moon is full
the sea cranes its long neck
the stars floating on their backs
their lips gone so blue