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of what sacrifice

of what sacrifice

Should you grasp that desiccated rib of basketry 
from some high and rocky shelf
or commodify a shard with camera;
take too the stony yellow dust 
that abrades emerging gasps at birth
and colors each breath of prayer. 

In time’s fading light 
scuff another’s memory or echo 
disperse it like spores from a puffball;
your steps like stitches 
that pierce and hold and sunder.

A rock. 
A village.
A ruin.


JW


(bouncing off Gertrude Stein)

LET US DESCRIBE.
        Let us describe how they went. It was a very windy night and the road although in excellent condition and extremely well graded has many turnings and although the curves are not sharp the rise is considerable. It was a very windy night and some of the larger vehicles found it more prudent not to venture. In consequence some of those who had planned to go were unable to do so. Many others did go and there was a sacrifice, of what shall we, a sheep, a hen, a cock, a village, a ruin, and all that and then that having been blessed let us bless it.
 G.S.
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