Hypothesis of God
Astrid Carlen

You say you don’t believe
in dust beyond dirt
but I watch you
scatter your debt
among weeds,
measuring forgiveness
in dandelions born where
your knees press
into the ground

You say you can’t feel
touch beyond skin
but I hear your cries 
dissolve at night
as the salt drips 
from the flesh, 
feeding your aching bones--

So when the hum dies
down and the moon
wakes wanting, 
fall asleep remembering 
that light lingers a while
longer in higher places
and the man who told you

Astrid (PO '28) is a sophomore at Pomona. She enjoys the expo line at Frary and swimming in natural bodies of water. ​