Arlene Kim

Lesson

For beginning metaphysicists and people of color

Mother named us after birds—
Dove, Starling, Sparrow, Wren—
to keep together. “

We trust.
I try to know better, to know history
from fiction, science from sanctity, yet,
what to believe when one night, alone
at the bus stop, I see the stubs of our faith
skitter about me? How long to pause
before opening the barn door?