​all these darlings and now me

Not even the knowledge of creatures
On their hind legs is foolproof
Begging water, begging favor
They can compass the water for hidden lakes, divination
Or read tea leaves in the shape of fawns
Breast bared, bound feet

As though the promise of purity is enough
To fill a chest empty for two years, or is it three?
“Here – you can have it back if only you drink.”

Between the wither and the wraith
On the one hand marble stairs and on the other
Well you know they seal these floors in pigs blood
They said, “I bet they’ll never make it”

I can’t stand to be here, but I can’t bear to leave you
Courting water from salted crypts

Come what may take my body out to sea
And when I get there make sure
There’s a place I can breathe
I can take the long way home and I can bury the rest
When the flood goes away