Lucille Clifton




august the 12th

for sam

we are two scars on a dead woman’s belly
brother, cut from the same knife
you and me. today is your birthday.
where are you? my hair
is crying for her brother.
myself with a mustache
empties the mirror on our mother’s table
and all the phones in august wait.
today is your birthday, call us.
tell us where you are,
tell us why you are silent now.