The African Title Poem by Raj Dronamraju

The phrase "I want to be inside you" just makes people laugh
We laughed when I said it as no one takes this talk of the physical seriously
Dear sow, what we can talk about is that you are from Kenya
I bought her coffee at the train station and we talked of this

She smelled like margerine and rain, like the physicality of the earth and like spice
Made love on the floor of the two bedroom apartment
Once in a blue moon, my knees hurt in unintended utility

Distrust of anyone who uses the phrase "white light"
And doesn't like the rarity of dirty pounding salutation
Happy times outside the void that falls back on itself

I don't like road trip banter
Slang encounters of thirsty Orpheus
But I do like full length dresses that hug a thick frame
White teeth and the fearlessness of being together (if just for a short period)