by Sarah Sarai

Is that I, Sarah Kent, am
Earthmother of Superman,
rocketed to our planet
for safekeeping when
his homeland imploded,
which is what the universe
did, prior to becoming
the universe and with
dazzled flourishes of
an illuminated manuscript
illuminated really fast.
Like Moses bobbling in
sun-gold rushes, Clark was
a foundling, and like Shadrach
Meshach and Abednego
survived fires unscathed,
Clark’s of impact with
this planet, more than many
I’ve seen do. I raised him
to respect and be cheerful
kind in an American way.
I am an American Sarah,
embracing the visitation
with one joy-spilled tear,
the other Vidalia-sliced
for the stew. I didn’t laugh
but quietly taught my son
his civic duty of salvation,
something his new world
needs, with every turn.

 

 

Sarah Sarai has poems or stories in reviews including The Minnesota Review, The Threepenny Review, Weber Studies and South Dakota Review. She lives and works in New York City.

 

artwork by Jenny Ostraff. Today Is Only One Day.Intaglio print. 2007.