Healer

“This is for Aline, who taught her lover to caress the scar.”


Frightened animal
an army of tiny, violent
inflammations had invaded
the skin of her back
her limbs lolled, her eyes lackluster
a twitch at my approach

her feathery frame rested meekly
against the pillow, as if
she wished it no harm
her chin drooped, tired
thin as her sparse rug
as she watched the children outside
playing in the dusty village
she no longer recognized.

I spoke to the little angel.
I said, everything
will be alight
the next morning, when the sun
will rise and give
your ravaged heart
the release
of loving the world
and smiling wild again.
I put the little angel to sleep
for now.



I am no healer.
I have sinned
by saying what I said
with so much certainty
and hope