loosed

i want this word to make it
if wrapped in paper
folded corner to corner
smoothed,
stamped,
would the cost in coin not do
better?
it flutters.
the seam gasps.
a damp feather,
a crust of bark for veneer,
and the moon of my fingernail
that came off with it?
it banks
like a gull.
fishing line weights,
shavings of rust
and bread,
a half-hollowed back tooth,
a wad of chocolate spit,
drawn blood with a sewing needle
pinned through vowels.
will it go
straight and stick?
i want this word to make it
bangled and tattooed
totemed and tabooed

Anemoi

a holy wind arrives
gathers the shaking all
buries terror in her roaring heartbeat
altogether more gently than she came
drains ache, heart and all,
from her left arm.

record keeper

i sort our things
i catalogue
bodies
counted
into a pit
porches
swept for
arriving tenants
i practice interviews
in a mirror
i practice saying
no to demons.