Witch Doctor

[spray_of_petals]

I put oil on
and waited for you
smelling of skin
not quite clean
but you did not
come back
that night.

neveragain
a thought; she
made me look
toward the east
and then spit
in the dust
at her toes
and I told her
I needed a
drink to cool
my throat
I was on fire
I was on fire
Words like lava
that captured him
burned him to ash
and stone
alone
neveragain

I rubbed the dirt
coalashsoot into
my gashes
redblack like fire
until scars rose
the mountains
I flew over
my first time
in a plane
like a bird...
She laughs
doesn't understand
'plane'
and makes me turn
round and 'round
until I am the shape
swollen and proud
of a woman
again.