Third Poem for the Catastrophe

O
melting rainbow that embrace this roof
O
persistent covenant
hangs around
giving us nothing, leaves its muck in the water
expects us to be knocked out by its fine colors
weren’t you nothing too, weren’t you
sea bottom
crunched down into fuel
and when that eggshell roof busts through
mama’s gonna buy you
a rainbow ride for free
an illumination, an inflammation
hyperion flame headdress
dream pins in the fuel
balloons of Koolaid burst down to cool
the sticky baby’s head
plus a credit card a glock a new bible
a princess dress
a mermaid princess dress
so you’ll be twice submerged
or an erased Indian princess
pajama set now go to sleep

Copyright Credit: Joyelle McSweeney, “Third Poem for the Catastrophy” from Percussion Grenade. Copyright © 2012 by Joyelle McSweeney. Reprinted by permission of Joyelle McSweeney.
Source: Percussion Grenade (Fence Books, 2012)