olive branch by Fray Narte

here take all of my poems conceived without sin —

untouched by the rotten words nesting

at the roof of my mouth.

they carry all of my many sins swallowed shut

while at a confessional

and this poem is an

immaculate conception, at best

a distant, futile reference drawn out of nowhere; take it

it's the only part of me pure and sinless enough

not to hurt you.