30th Birthday

By Alice Notley

 

May I never be afraid

                     especially of myself   

                                                      but

Muhammed Ali are you telling

the truth?      

                     Well you’re being true aren’t you and

you talk so wonderfully in your body

                     that protects you with physique of voice

      raps within dance

                              May I never be afraid

                     rocked and quaked         

                                                      the mantilla is lace

                                                      whose black is oak

But if I’m dark I’m strong

                                       as my own darkness

my strength the universe   

                                       whose blackness is air

                                       only starry

                                       lace

But if I’m alive I’m strong   

                                           as life

Strong as the violets

in Marlon Brando’s fist

                                  his dissemblance flourished into truth   

                                                                                              She

took them

I’d take me too   

                           I do

                  and my Ali I see you      

                                                   a hard bright speck of me

the savage formalist

                               authentic deed of gossip

                   a kind body