other wounded words
met opposing lips
before taking steps
to the tree
with tissue paper bark
denied strong stature
boughs reaching into canopy,
by those roots
we would lie
till they pierce our flesh
not out of brutality
not nature
sap and blood entwine
devouring each other
upon a dense earth
we lie we live
together embedded
drawn down to the
moisture beneath
and worms soft mouth
all around
inertia falls apart,
leap to the call of the luperci,
the she wolf nurtured
needs bloods strong flow,
goat and dog sacrifice
sword dipped in blood
(boxes of cocoa confection)
compliant to the wine
goat purification,
fauna from the woodland
scythed into sheaves
(vases and pillows)
arts of abstraction
together in this time
of declaration and proclamation
(all for the twins)
born from vestal and mars
days of hunger
and ripe fertlity
gelase wished to end
(sacred cakes)
loins of vestal virgins
februa whipped
lustratio complete,
cardboard cast into trash
wilted and thornless
red petals scattered forlorn,
human pastoral tribe
exalted to the yearning
department store sales are up
and the day is done
velvetmedia 