sunday

the morning was singeing
oatmeal caught in her throat
one whole round grape.

spill.

the seasick cure in terrebone parish,
used to be two swigs, full
off the bayou.

but that little girl grew up,
had to get paid
followed the men who
dredged the black water, searching
for another one's prodigal return.

now politicians-turned-doctors
pray she'll sweat out the toxins
caught under her her palms
when she gathered their clothes
and squeezed their hands.