(For My Youngest Husband, Rene-
Massembo Lubaki, Congo)

In places where you trespass
People there will call you family
And share their vegetables and starch staple
With you
No matter that it is of no nutritional value

It fills your stomach, satisfies you
Your body shape shifts
“Is it the heat?” you wonder
“Or my diet?”

It is neither

Places like this are incredibly hot

You will be given a walking stick
A small boy will make a carving on
The handle, rub it with palm oil
And burn his marks into it
Taking fire from the cooking stones

“Use it when you are on unstable ground,” he says
And you’ll have a mind to take it with you
Where ever you go