a strangled wail never came from you though i could have sworn
it did
though i knew this had never happened before
it was, still,
like an antique-shaded photograph from my childhood
i, truly, thought, oh this is true-
if i felt it once
surely i will feel it again.

the monk (with his
scarred cheeks&sagging eyelids)
said i was foolish. pathetic. in such a
sad way.
but he,
he is a reprobate of massive proportions.

the eunich (with his
clotted skin&silk coat)
said nothing but with his eyes…what he said with those eyes.

well rise up!
taking your cues from job’s friends, i see.
well let me, see you, rise up!

so young and so impure-
honestly, we all know.
yes, everyoneinthisroom knows whose faultitis.
(watch those wracking sobs!with dull eyes)

betty bell, where did
your heart go?
she, truly, thought, oh this much is true-
if i felt it once
surely i will feel it again.

london bridge
is falling down
(falling down
such bleeding on me)
all over me-

surely i can feel it again!
for i felt it

i felt it once-