Joshua Gage

Ghazal


The farmer scans the horizon, asking "Will this drought cede?"
His father answers to his memory "Never doubt seed."

Lord, let me be a melon on your vine, green
without rind, without wet flesh, without seed.

Where are the lessons on the swell of the heart, bodies flush, and breath?
Instead we are taught pistol and stamen; about egg, and about seed.

The devil tempts through the desert. Curl, untouched, like a cactus flower.
Wait for Divine Rain, spread your arms, and shout seed.

At death, scatter the Prophet across the river. Plant him deep
in the ocean of God that a lotus may bloom from this devout seed.