IRFAN ALI AT THE POETRY PARTY

Image courtesy of NASA

Irfan Ali writes: “Gravity” is a poem from the climactic section of Accretion’s narrative. In it, our protagonist, heartbroken and alone, finally gives in to his violent and destructive nature. That trajectory ultimately leads him somewhere neither he nor anyone else could expect.

GRAVITY

An insignificant thing

lacks the needed weight to attract.

Laws state

it will barely inspire a reaction.

An insignificant thing

will always try to accrete,

even if hate is the only available mass.

Let it build

until you collapse alone

beneath your own weight.

Then for a moment

you will become a fire on the horizon,

beautiful

and impossible to ignore.

Accretion's publication date is April 1, 2020 (Brick Books). The launch was originally scheduled to take place on April 9 at Another Story Bookshop (315 Roncesvalles Ave) in Toronto. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has, of course, been postponed indefinitely. The book can be purchased directly from Brick Books.