Coal

I am black coal.
I must be porous.
I must walk about
Covered in holes
To invite the warmth
Of the world.

I am red coal.
I must be porous.
I must sit—
Angry and affected,
To transfer,
To radiate.

I am ash.
I must be porous.
I must sleep
In cold wisdom—only
To be born again,
As gentle dust.

Dale Chou
2012-08-09