willow

12/01/2023

That old queer
Willow
leans bent-backed
over the silvered mirror
pooling at gentle slacks
(or skirts);

their delicate fingers trace rings
that limn an ancient face.

Better Narcissus
​with yellow 
hair dripping, ageless, down
than Salix, whose sallow locks
frame an ungendered crown;

or Cypress, old knees raised up high
and timeworn; polished; sage.