| This town with the train and the prison on the top of the hill
by Susanna Fry
1. sleepy burning town
woodsmoke
gun shots
dogs tied up outside and daughters
in their short shorts and umbrellas;
tireless birds, gladiolas, and sunflowers
the fountain overflows with soap
suds and factory smoke
blows in our direction
we may always live on this side
2. morning chilly town
wet wet town
soggy and blue
town of tree sways and murky light
this swamp town
3. underwater town
quicksand and lost shoes
garage of boxes
butterflies that follow
this lake town
purple lilies tall grasses
goldenrod, goldfinches,
this town of geese
4. lady dove town
black spots and stripes
this rooftop town
of poison ivy and open windows
open wounds
this refuge
5. spooky town
child abuse and animal cruelty
gun smoke and hunting dogs
bluejays and antique cars
broken trucks and dirt piles
this town split by water
6. this village of rain and smoke
took us in without question
clouds roll so slowly
lakes and swamps
no one to notice
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