babel

ash and soot

stamped under my boot

the grind of memory

hell, I thought of you.

coarse dreams of lips

the taste of smoke, brakes and rope.

even years go by

it's been awhile since things have felt this heavy.

trapped under weight

with skeleton limbs

flimsy ground and body

there is no habit in me

to keep me proud

to slow my brow

oh thick liquid Savior,

even my fingernails beg

to be worthless, drunk.

My teeth shake at your

cross faced frown

I could never build a tower

tongues of fire,confusion and

I always say things too late,

muscles move in reverse

hollowed out leg

and my body drowns

the house of bricks

that I burned down

hair teased , the scruff

an easy beast

who tamed these feet?

Hooves and itching throat,

locked jaw

the halt of truth

enigma glue

knuckles of fate

drag me down

dry me out

smoking over pine

spine curled and cracked

hair tobacco-crisp

roll me in paper yellowed with time

light your candles

light the altar

anything but me

God,

I'll never count the things I did to keep you alive.