Excerpt from Deposition

LAST BREATH ON THE FLOOR

In the shower linoleum then floorboards then earth in which the depths
please send me away but see she cannot leave the house see what has been done

is thorough like something a cloth has been rinsed in or used for
tied across the eyes I have taken precautions leave no address leave no

trace water over the body entire but see yeast leavens the whole how could
this do harm this is the kingdom of God wet body sobbing on linoleum

sickness welling at any threshold what are you balking at she said
where would you be without us she said soon the killing felt like saving

a body burnt nerves burnt is this meaning is this to save
your life lose it I hear all night airplanes landing then go I heard but I am afraid

am panicked it is all of the time it is not some of the time do you know
what is used on the disobedient in some countries acid.

LAST BREATH AND DISEASES IN THE WHEAT

As fire starts is soundless up the curtain as whispering down the hall
going to see what about what now what more can this house hold this is how

the rust the soot began on the grain at dusk a silhouette at dawn
too bright to see what the glumes the hard grain have on them besides morning

red spring wheat darkening like limbs caught in a door one end pale
one pulsing more blood too much for any vein early leaves early height

you have made me quiet have made me careful carefully
the rabbi said it is not for you to return to the God abusive listen ash in sky

settles on the wheat listen for what is doing what to whom.

Station the Sixth: A woman wipes his face

A WOMAN WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

This comes out of folklore.
Invented because tenderness at times
must be written in. There was a woman.
There was a cross. But in fact
they have hung him too high
to be touched.

Copyright 2002 by Katie Ford. All rights reserved.