M. Mick Powell
by what names did we know the mortal femme
before Her maiming? what accessory did She hang
from
her
neck?
what manmade material
replaced Her broken teeth?
& what bedazzler
bedazzled Her oldest dress—
remade what could not be unworn,
unwore what could not be remade ?
what did the mortal femme do
in the bellies of grief? did She braid hair
did She bring food
did She summon the archaic ache
did She touch the blue scar in the bath water
did She sing
did She scream
did She spit back the shotgunned smoke
did She watch her daughter disappear
did She watch them disappear her daughter
did She carry Her casket through the kingdom
did She plant dahlias in the memorial garden
did She curse the graves of mortal men who made carnival
in the hour of Her suffering, who put pieces of Her bruised
body up to the light and said: this is mine?