This tongue is useless

for speech

as the filament tongue of the garter snake.

I am not trying to say hello.

I am trying to say I am in love with Rumi.

The sun is never long enough in the east.

It’s how we spin.

But I will set off

with my snake ears,

sounds from everywhere bouncing off me like prayer.

Until night pushes down on a day

that refused to end.