Issue #20 (2011) PDF - myweb - Long Island University

PESTILENCE
On a swing at the park. Wood chips falling out of my pockets. Girl runs up, calls, Do you love Jesus
Yes or no. Her mother won't look at me. He made the tomatoes and the butterflies and even you and me. Yes or
no. Swinging pretty high now. Little girl, you know how there can be lots of names for the same
thing Yes or no.
IN A CELL
I am in a cell (I am not in a cell). The cell is made of concrete (I am not in a cell). There is a locked
door to the cell (I am not in a cell). It is cold in the cell (I am not in a cell). There is a hole in the
floor of the cell (I am not in a cell). I am naked in the cell (I am not in a cell). I am a number in the
cell (I am not in a cell). I starve in the cell (I am not in a cell). The cell is loud with noise from other
cells (I am not in a cell). There are people guarding my cell (I am not in a cell). I imagine my love
outside the cell (I am not in a cell). No windows in the cell (I am not in a cell). No light.
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