you and me, bess

we picked our way down to the beach

watching the waves dragging out of our reach

tangling tails

like a sodden sheet

dangling entrails from the gut of the sea

hoarding our meals

alfalfa and rolls

trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls

i hope mother nature has not overheard

though she doles out hurt like a puking bird

we stayed for the winter

no-one told us about the laws of the land

i hold my own

but you with your hunger

you

on the other hand make yourself known

and when we were found i know we both grieved

my heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves

you and me

bess

we was as thick as thieves

so i swore

nonetheless

up and down

it was only me

so they took me away and after some time

studying my case must have made up their minds

by the time you realized i was dying

must have been too late

i believe you were not lying

it is the day

i wake with my ears cocked up like a gun

like every day

of course

yanked by my wrists to the sugar-front courtyard

now tell me

what have i done?

seems i have stolen a horse and i step to the gallows

who do you think that you are?

arching your hooves like a crane

in the shallow gutter that lines the boulevards

crowded with folks who just

stare as i hang

it's all the same

kindness comes over me

what was your name?

it makes no difference

i'm glad that you came

forever

i'll listen to your glad neighing