she gave me what everyone
after the cat disappeared—weeping
yes without knowing why anything
all that you are (all, all)
we bury each day in a suffusion of eyes
see what the river has come to, Linda?

**

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they went on their spree
i was in the path and no plea
for mercy
saved me

it was dropped down
and i was on the ground
chasing chickens
and was blown to dickens

i was made to fight and the gun
was issued me hon
see son
what ive become
this dome
of yellow bone
gone

i am not available to sing
or try on a ring
or take us vacationing
or buying any thing

**

Vivian

Complain then, Mama, for all your lost
Unvirginned sorrowed days illspent
In mystic bond with Christ
And Rex Humbard on channel four
And Iby (the tramp)
And Susan (the smoking bitch)
And Oliver’s redskinned sneering face
Leaving you at fifty-two
To marry that painted widowed
Titless blond from Forrest Hills Christian Daycare

Bleed out your days with cats
And thoughtless grandchildren
Kicking the dogs
Writing on the peeling mildewed sheetrock walls
And picking up new words
And half-empty beer cans
Left lying round the yard
By your handsome dumb sons-in-law

And watch your gray go white, yellowed
Skin turn loosebag
Crooked fingers bent
Humpshouldered and cataracted
Hysterectomied
Your face a wearied
Tale of wanting more for us
Of this and that I never had

And ask me from the door of your empty
Waiting concrete tomb
Third shelf up
(Where it’s cheap enough for us)
Clutching your stained worn free
Giantprint bible
From Jim and Tammy Faye
Why in God’s wholly empty name
I weep for love of you, I’ve wept
For love of you, why
I so cherish you