(1)

I left my sorrows in the laundry basin
stuffed them into my shirt’s pocket
while she washed our clothes by hand
Tomorrow I’ll have a grief so clean
lament will emerge from it
all smiles and laughter

(2)

She tucked her braid into his shroud
Whenever she combs her hair
she can hear his clothes
laughing

(3)

My father taught us not to lie
then dropped us
into a wilderness that kills
the truthful

(4)

For you I will kindle my heart
into beacons and sailboats that never stray
I will offer you my fingers if you tire
of searching for light
I will scrape fear off your skin
and loneliness off your eyes
Don't say which room you are under
which floor you were on
Your tomb is ready, so is your coffin
Follow me to the graveyard

(5)

Tomorrow the bulldozer will dredge the grave
that lies quietly beneath a scorched tree
as though the war had ended
There are no roses on its headstone
no place to rest a hand
it will spend the night like any other night
waiting for someone to visit
in the morning