dreaming of a long table

untitled, from i die too soon. Blake Sterling. 2025. [above & below]

---

dreaming of a long table

his lovers

lining one side

something baroque

and pre his history

his boy

seducing him

and his other boy

and his boy’s boy

kissing one

landing on the lips of another

this is reunion

and final embrace.

his night turning to mourning.

if i love you, i love you.

if i love you, and i duck it, i die.

…

i must trust life.

james baldwin in conversation with maya angelou. 1974