You and Me, Bess

we picked our way

down to the beach

watching the waves dragging out of our reach

dangling impales like a sodden sheep

dangling on thrills from the gut of the sea

hoarding our means

alfalfa and rose

trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls

i hope mother nature has not overheard

though she doles out hurt like a buchan bird

stayed for the winter

no one told us about the laws of the land

i hold my own

but you with your hunger

you arm the other hand

make yourself known

and when we were found

i know we both grieved

my heart made the sound of snow falling from leaves

you and me, bess

we were as thick as thieves

so i swore nonetheless

up and down it was only me

so they took me away

and after some time

studying my case

must've made up their minds

by the time you realized i was dying

must've been too late

i believe you were not lying

it is the day i wake with my ears cocked up like a dawn

like everyday, of course

yanked by my wrist to the sugar front courtyard

tell me what have i done

seems i have stolen a horse

and escaped to the gallows

who do you think that you are

arching your hooves like a queen

in the shallow gutter that lines the roof

crowded with folks who just stare as i hang

it's all the same

kindness comes over me

what was your name

it makes no difference

I'm glad that you came

forever i'll listen to your glad name