Fady Joudah

The Outer Rings of Saturn

Is disease a longing as acceleration is gravity?
This weekend the beaches are empty,

the weather perfect, you’re caught
between the pristine
and the poor having time to frolic.

Studies show that the jasmine
can’t let go of the rose bush

in your backyard but can do without the thorns.
Whatever your mourning, it’s an animal

not a constellation. If anything, you’re jubilee,
coffee in the morning, kids to school,

yoga, zumba, a paycheck sustained
on the rungs of payback. This afternoon,

you’d like to focus your gratitude
on the mailwoman who didn’t deliver

any news. And on the doctor
who complied with your demands.