October

Spirits of the abnormally born
live on in water
of the heroically dead
in the entrails of snake.

Now I span my days like a wild bridge
swaying in place     caught
between poems like a vise
I am finishing my piece of this bargain
and how shall I return?

Seboulisa     mother of power
keeper of birds     fat and beautiful
give me the strength of your eyes
to remember what I have learned
help me attend with passion
these tasks at my hand for doing.

Carry my heart to some shore
my feet will not shatter
do not let me pass away
before I have a name
for this tree
under which I am lying

Do not let me die     still
needing to be stranger.