In the darkness of my heart, and mind,
you have come into light it.

The furnace that was running low, you
Gave me coal to burn even brighter.

Where there was no hope, there is more.
And where there was emptiness, there is a seed.

You are my seed, Emerson.
Mom gave birth to you.

You gave birth
to me.

My heart is overwhelmingly high,
crisper than toast on Sundays.

Fuller than bellies on Thanksgivings
and drunker than fans at Fenway.

Once there was emptiness and a note.
Now the note’s torn up, rewritten.

Like the drafts of poems, that filled notebooks,
all is forgiven.

You are my new masterpiece, Emerson.
Mom gave birth to you.

You gave birth to me.
You lit up a cavern where I was dwelling.

I think you saved my life,
my dearest Emerson.
 

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His third book, Train of Thought 2: Almost Home is available now at the Oddball Book Store.