Accounting

i have seen a hundred images now

of the mother wrapped around the dead shroud

i have heard the nascent roar

and clubbed the air to kill the sound

i’ve disremembered my human feet

on muddy ground

as a nuisance

so i flounder

in the denial of prescience

i’ve seen the sex slip back into the body

that is being watched relentlessly

and i’ve watched

the sparrow on your brow

take flight

when god’s light no longer shines

on you

or any woman.

the earth is crying

stop lying to yourself

and weep each time

you feel alive

and know in your bones

the price.