Search for the Beloved

by Oiseau

are you an orange,
o-I-see-you-my-beloved?
are you one?
I am like an orange,
hold me tangible tangy round--
I am like an orange: closer zip-zing
citric cling
Yes, like an orange,
singing juice all pipped in strings
Like an orange
though not an orange, true

are you an apple,
o-you-are-with-me-my-beloved?
are you one?
I am like an apple,
bruising wine beneath the skin. I am like
an apple: hollow, separate at the core,
and like an apple crisp and floral
white and sweet and pure
yes, like an apple
though not an apple, true

are you a baby,
marshmallow-my-beloved,
are you one?
I am like a baby, pulling yearning from you
pulling milk and snot and song
Like a baby, yes, flesh of your own
and raw like a baby, round and royal,
yoking fire, consuming time
Like a baby...
though never a baby, true

are you---what are you?
o-beloved-too-long?
One, are you one, are you all,
are you none?
o I am
yes I am
yes I am
o,
I am
true

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more poetry and art by Oiseau