Blackbirdan online journal of literature and the artsSpring 2023  Vol. 21  No.3
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back FLEDA BROWN

Wild Sweet Pea

In the margin between the hard surface and the grasses,
a tangle of small pink wings: sweet peas.

I read that the brain naturally gravitates toward negative
thoughts. A negativity bias. A wariness, a worry

for survival. Nevertheless, extravagant shades of pink.
Nevertheless, the billows of August, pointlessly excellent,

textured, wings (open hands), afloat on a sea of green
on this day in which the eye is sick from colluding with

the mind. In which there is this clarity, this brilliance,
and a gust of birds. We are all in the same place!

We (the whole of everything) are like lovers
who must ignore each other a while. In order to turn

back, new, the only new possible when you’ve
been together forever in this life. You’re willing then

to risk each other again. The small blossoming fear
that comes with knowing this will end.  


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