Some bald skin warms in laundry. “The altar needs work,” the altar worker thinks, before slippingdown _____________________.  (something else here) Slave ships start arriving in half dozens and toothbrushbristles drag across her lungs. Muse on namesfor pairs of mules. Honk and Cuss. Belle and Nubbin. Ignoring the intention of the shape,stone drinks the rain. Do…

God catches me, smiling, & tosses me back. I fall into bed and through it on until the bed becomes the floor & the floor becomes the earth—the earth (ah, the molten earth) & then down through to another floor. Up I fall across an opium den & then burst shake roof into the sky.…