Florida
Air thick with drooping ostrich feathers,
Green javelins and the hibiscus hands’
Light wood hold their shrouds. The weather
Tilts along the lavender horizon, into mats and goblets.
Rows of widowers at intervals have sacred rituals.
A plastic container has a lid for each weekday.
Candlenuts and shells decorate the pasty edge.
Remember that de Soto wore hands for a necklace.
The slaves were not alone on the Henrietta Marie.
Elephant tusks and glass drops
Now rot on the bottom of the sea.
Also, iron-forged bilboes small enough to fit children.
Damp palm fronds seek to veil the enormity.
Millions of molasses eyes stare through us like sparks.
Printed from Cerise Press: http://www.cerisepress.com
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