Noah’s Ark

by Emma Cohen

fear comes running in launches onto my lap wraps its arms around my chest a ghost of somebody-- i hold it in my arms like a baby or another soft sentient primate whom i've never met before followed by grief who descends in a shawl around my shoulders a wet bird with plastic in its beak i want to protect these feelings pelican resting its beak atop my head in a crown my fullest regalia; tallis leather straps without all that come sit beside me like the buddha i awaken to touch the ground so that flowers may bloom around us and nourish the solitary bees