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Canonized by Poetry

for Jeffrey

There's a tree in Silver Lake, Los Angeles
that grew from seed
into verse; that quieted
an entire café when filtered
through tobacco (I wonder
if such seeds can be purchased
from botanists).

I want to steal the heart
of a young poet
and hotwire her father's sedan.
She'll take turns with me
behind the wheel and pack
the bowl as I check
the rearview for Protectors
and Servers (the kind that break out
sex toys when you give them tips).

I want to steal a heart
on Colley Avenue, voyage
the 2700 miles, and upon
our arrival, coalesce like branches
toward the same life-light.

Canonized by poetry, I'll replace
her holy organ with my own, wrapped
carefully in its foliage.


Maxwell Despard