LIST OF NAMES
Ray Heinrich
one paper falls
on top of another
and soon
rock is formed
from names on top of names
whispered to fine sand
pressed
by immense forces
who disavow all knowledge
you
lift the top folder
and open it
and read down the list
of names
they could be
third-grade classmates
guards at a prison camp
winners of a florida vacation
you
just hear your voice
reading name after name
wishing
there was more light
and your voice
sounds different
sounds like the voices
on the list
continuing to read
name after name
pronouncing yours correctly
like they'd read it
again and again
ever since the third grade
each morning in the camp
on the phone in the evening
telling you you'd won
