My Sixth Life

Kazim Ali

Core I have lost words to fare

well my self on or in these paths that lead

Fore through stone door or climb in dour sun

to water door before which we sit or pour

Oh sky door claim these stars or clay

rowing through these days

Arc of light no color spare

My sight this mind that disperse

Mine will it mind to mine the earth of flowers

I will found my new life in sound or care

Always before there were windows enough

Now only doors

Kazim Ali is the author of multiple books of poetry, fiction, and essays, most recently Sukun: New and Selected Poems. He is the founder of Nightboat Books and a professor of comparative literature and creative writing at the University of California, San Diego.
Originally published:
December 6, 2023

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