I Shall Not Want*

to have eyes the color of breathing water

sheer my curls, make me pure

the guide, a voice bending and hollow,

whispering an everlasting touch

i was forced to crave you,

to lie in a

eld and hope for a form touched by your light

you prepare me a table.

i wash your feet,

in return, bleed from mine

if i stare long enough into your eyes and kiss your roman nose,

will you teach me how to pray?

don’t make my children fear your evil

my head is covered with the

nest oil,

the finest,

argan, castor, and jojoba

body, skin, smooth river stones placed gently near my foes

surely, the taste of harmony will linger from your bite

but in the crease of my lover’s arms,

i will dwell

forever

* (Psalm 23 and “Psalm 23” by Z. Randall Stroope Texas all star women’s choir 2011)