Mother’s Home Ritual for Quenching Fires
Unwind your garden hose Lady bird, lady bird
lay it across the insatiable lawn
do not turn it on
Drink wine from a jar
shake the dregs
into your palm
fly away home
Bathe in a tub without water
walk into the kitchen with your eyes closed
stare at the horizon
your house is on fire
Build towers of ash on the walk
the vacant swings
the back seat of your car
your children are gone
Borrow sugar from a neighbor
let it melt in the driveway
give away your matches
all except one
Write the fire on your laundry list
set it aflame
watch the name curl into ash
and that's Little Anne
Dine with firefighters
wear a sundress with nothing underneath
say a prayer to St. Barbara
for she has crept under the warming pan
Steady your hand above a basin of water Lady bird, lady bird
pretend to read your fortune there
pretend you are not thirsty. 