TORCH SONG: HOLY DAY

Our woman of black knees
in the dirt she is singing
sweetheart spit your teeth
into my hand and for you
I will play the finest rattle

•

The gossip about god was
he’s a woman drinks rotgut
no camisole sees the veins
in his husband’s eyelids says
hallelujah this is all my fault

TORCH SONG: SLUMGULLION

We come from low country we say
when thunderheads growl that’s god
talking to himself when lightning
strikes your mother down in a field
that’s god saying I’ve got a question

•

The furrow belongs to the crows now
no last stalk no cornhusk doll to march
through town and hang from the door
of the landlord who says shut her out
should the wheat ghost come to yours

TORCH SONG: CHANTEUSE

Hair teased out like a flame
an old standard (for the crowd)
got a feeling cause I’m blue oh
lord it disgusts me heartache
all this spectacle and prayer

•

There are nights I suspect
I will find you your fingers
sear at the tips a music box
in your hands your refrain
will no one turn this crank