If you expect this story to be in tact you shouldn’t have that
Faith in faith, not here, or in a loping place
Where Rickey Ray won’t be so frightened by the dark in Arkansas.
A folk’s story of unanswerable griefs—he told me
You will probably not see me anymore after I went home.
Already what was left of him
Was like a barncat leaving just the heart of it, the offering.
inmate Rector reports guards are setting loose chickens in the holding cell
pork patty turnips jello muffins milk
pudding—says saving, for just before lights out
reports assorted characters are peering in his window by the towers light
Enough of possim and their teeth, the gold shag’s carpeting,
The chinaberry tree back home. inmate making holling sound
For you who was taking this down for him, he is all kind about his feeling
For you, you all dressed up like scarecrows Taken down by other birds.
In the Polaroid he is to his waist in water, plumpened,
Sitting huge and humped up forward, dazy, grinning wide.
This day shall you be with me in paradise.
inmate glimpses limousine cruising thru prison all those
he maybe hurt are huddled in the backseat there
6:46 am howling
7:07 am howling and dancing in cell
8:10, & thruout day barking while sitting on bunk
began noice’s with his voice like a dog
Years after her death, he told me, Mother visits him at night
In her tulip dress, clutching her crocodile pocketbook.
Miss Flowers, he said, Not to worry I’m still voting for your man Miss Gennifer.
Governor Clinton, in his mansion on that last frost night, from time to time
Was having hard time catching breath
Some say
You will be sleeping when you die.
How cold that ice cream fell going down.
They is my good ice cream, he said.
Touches hands of his sisters, first time without glass
—from Ledger, Visitation House
A silver canopy over the enormous Elm of him.
one steak real done
fried chicken w/ heavy gravy
brown beans three rolls
koolaid, cherry & he said, for later—
pecan pie for just after when he would went to sleep
Rows of folding chairs unfold, a brood of heavy winter coats settling in
Assembly for the witnessing, like pigeons Nurse in quiet shoes
Attending with sickness bags
Then a streak of gold light visible through the top of chamber
Where he is You can hear him helping out
Velvety curtains for the viewing room pulled back, tell them
Pastor Motton, what it was like the vast bulk of Rickey Ray
Still bound in with straps of blue still breathing the lump
Of gauze holds in his fist his heart’s
Green light still fluttering
Pie still waiting where he left it there
I love you Mother in your queen Anne’s chair
Geraldo thank you for your company on TV
Bird of prey, waiting like a hearse outside when I’m alive