Oh Lordy How They Could Love
no other weather like this
moist gray ghostly hot
morning unease who’s
trying to get in touch
let’s say I need comfort is this
overcast 7AM low and birdless sky
the lost family is my cousin Jean there the cousin who taught me
all the verses of “Frankie and Johnnie” when I was a small
child loving the sound of “rooty toot toot
three times she shot right through that hardwood door”
having no idea this meant murder for infidelity dear god the things
we have to learn in this life the complications
nothing’s simple melody but hundred-part harmony
dissonance let’s say comfort isn’t knowledge but belief:
certainty for no good reason that a true
inherited body sustains us gathering as much
August warmth as possible at least
I can say hello to whatever it is
ask what it needs as if I can answer
Holly Prado
from Oh, Salt/ Oh, Desiring Hand