The Lonesome Death Of Helen Betty Osborne

It was the same auburn hair

But her body lay bare

Where the night had left it cold

And shaking for home.

Her mother was strong and

Shook free of the law

Cried "come awake child

And for god's sake come home."

I whispered her name and

Finally she came to me baring

The holes she'd named

And pieces she'd saved.

I said "child you're a mess

Let's just try and forget that

Their names were all well known

And your story well told."

It was a frightening dream

One of colours and screams

From a girl whose indian blood

Was fresh on the snow

Where the steam freely rose

From those 52 holes that they'd left

In her chest, in her head, in her hands.