My Mother's Requests
Dancing Bear
my mother has phoned me
asking me for words I cannot give
it is awkward silence
some static on the line
I cannot agree to this
everyone has sinned but you
Mother who has but refuses them
my confessions are elsewhere
in wind and stone
dancing on water reflecting clouds
-there is nothing for this phone
Mother, I hate your impossible requests
that sit heavy between us like rifles
cold loaded always waiting
