SANDS OF
HART ISLAND
I.
The sands of Hart Island
where the Queen puts her compassionate skin on
triangulates and accomplishes nothing
Man as a combine harvester
re-rupturing earth’s bowel
for a pittance,
a yield of antipathy
still wet with Abel’s blood
II.
we are grateful
for government-ordained food
the way it sits in our stomachs
and contains new ingredients
dust mingles with sand
becomes ash becomes rain
reanimates the water
children play tribute on recorders
III.
all the endings gathered
covered as one
trace elements ready
to accentuate the vanishing point
submerged legs thud
something is getting louder
there is no record of analysis
IV.
In exchange for menial tasks
the moths take the people in
to the blue of the televisions
and make important decisions
safe from abduction
brand ambassadors ready for reintroduction