excerpt

to turn back to the world

today—

false brome

today—

was a rookie on the force

today—

himalayan blackberry, invasive, the non-native one

today—

didn't pose a threat

today—

perennial lupine

today—

“objectionably reasonable”

today—

wild strawberry

wrentit nuptials

today—

mistook her handgun for a taser

today—

yellow glandweed,

skipper butterfly atop

tufts of melic

today,

unrest, racial

today—

wild radish

today—

dijon kizzee

sticky monkeyflower

peaceful and nondestructive

today—

panicles of reedgrass

today—

four nights of unrest

rescue brome, today,

hemlock at head's height,

today changing forget-me-not

no—

not every blade

furls out before the field

wholly browns &

yes—

memory ends

before names do and

and—

which one is this one

and—

which one is this one

and—

which one is this one

ABOUT THE POET

Mukethe Kawinzi is a shepherd and the author of saanens, nubians, one lamancha (Winner, Quarterly West Chapbook Contest) and rut (Ghost City Press Summer Series). The Field Nig Blues, her collection of tales, songs, and other forms, is forthcoming from KERNPUNKT Press in 2025. She herds goats on the open range in coastal California.

NOTES

Work in this chapbook first appeared in Midway Journal and ALOCASIA.