How to Make a Song

“How to Make a Song”

Sometimes the surface

of black and white keys

are frosted over.

Let warm fingers penetrate,

like a hot knife through bread.

Sometimes sounds

mimic the shrieks

of hyenas.

Shoo the beasts away

with binaural bells,

tibetan bowls,

and reverb louder

than an earthquake’s rumble.

Sometimes the drum’s maplewood

dries and shrivels.

Turn hands to water,

beating wetness

into a round frame.

Sometimes words

fall like shredded

paper pieces.

Swallow the confetti

and cough it up as one chorus.

-Ajala