Saeed Jones (born November 26, 1985) is an American poet whose debut collection Prelude to Bruise was named a 2014 finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry. Jones is also executive editor for culture at BuzzFeed.
KUDZU
Saeed Jones
I won’t be forgiven
for what I’ve made
of myself.
Soil recoils
from my hooked hisses.
Pines turn their backs
on me. They know
what I can do
with the wrap of my legs.
Each summer,
when the air becomes crowded
with want, I set all my tongues
upon you.
To quiet this body,
you must answer
my tendrilled craving.
All I’ve ever wanted
was to kiss crevices, pry them open,
and flourish within dew-slick
hollows.
How you mistake
my affection.
And if I ever strangled sparrows,
it was only because I dreamed
of better songs.