Every time Jim abides in vines Made of Flesh He finds Death. The vines snap in his hands And unravel to the ground— Broken lyres: They and their music Twist in the air Like frayed hair.

“I don’t know. You tell me.” “She’s obsessed with puzzles, O.K. She always wants to put them together. Her whole life, she’s enjoyed putting them together.” There’s a scream from the bathroom. “Stop it! You’re hurting me!” Just then, Bob…

Leaves dangle on limb— Like we: Green, And sprouting from shoots— Reaching for Him. But the burdening weight Of wants and desires Makes us bend. From shame and guilt? And were we formed, Fashioned from dust For shame sprung From…

Whenever I thirst Jesus arrives first. With a steady hand, He wipes the sand From my lips and dips A ladle in a cup, Brimming with water. Moving the ladle over the surface, He skims away my glassy image. Now,…

The baby nuzzles into my shoulder— Her warm, full cheeks against my neck— Make me want to hold her closer. But the too short moment passes: she leaves To play, and we both grow older, Time not lasting long enough.…

Wandering the wilderness: wild, She grew older into a child— Scarred and bruised by abandoned will— Running to stand still. She was a weed, bowing in the wind, To sordid men. Beaten blue by them, She got lost at the…

Hector, may death course on you like vultures. Your family will soon see the sun baked blood dried on your face. I will hide your body from all ‘til maggots have their fill. Your fate is on the blade of…

Clams disappear into the mud, Digging Themselves deep into the murkiness; She is one of them. Protected by her hardened shell, She is impervious to all. The waves laugh above, About her? Kernels of sand rub inside her: They are…