the great green field

for Soma

 

 

here is the great green field

where at last I can remove the high heel of language

let the body supple in its meaning

her mouth my guide

it’s the mouth I live for

that lives for me

her wail that shatters wild

small heart beasting out of cage

my animal wonder

every day

 

and if she purpled awake

not from my legs

but from the medicated sheet of men

and if my mouth sealed with each breaking

each violent crashing of the news

and if the year was marked by the believers

and the disbelievers

and if I believe will no one believe

in the name of God he thrust

into me

and if in her butoh tender hands I hang

 

shame

on language

that meats me pulverizes me

in public

revels in the republic

for whom I was not natural

so naturalized me

makes of her miracle

a mockery, life

before life

after which islands

better eaten by the sea

 

say, I see you

dare daughter

hear you

against all belief

brave this thin earth

devolving in the jaws

dream you

perfectly personed

in body

embodied

least secret to yourself

the most sacred

you scare them

all

free