humus births the sour air of respiration
by Anna Glazova
translated by Alex Niemi
humus births the sour air of respiration
we
breathe with this gloom,
rhythmically drinking in our own darkness
the quiet deaths
of seeds and plants.
out of every possible life, the swamp is dearest.
the gill fibers of every quivering toad,
and setting down on the water
skater’s shoulders
a heavy heart.