Judith

THE MAID

Crab hands
silver rite
twice-felt double dusk
shackle-footed desert moth
wait beneath the sickle moon
sickle circle – white light
watch the other other pray
wait
wait
wait
curtains.

HOLOFERNES

Turgid trumpets
crashing symbols
bring bright the rising way
bedecked in reflection
fate blest by seedlings of giants
of seething Great Ones
Great One,
I will rise like the morning
I will
Will runs through veins
vain will, all will, it will conquer
fatal clause
the thaw
treacherous potential
She sidles willow hips and smiles
KEEP DREAMING she whisper-licks
everybody is dirt
you will you will
the conquered dirt
None could fall from this high valley
let her in
(distance drags twixt boot and brain)
let her in
I will not lose my

head.