From “Civil Bound”

habitation, wooden crate in a nameless territory

dented objects for gathering water

plastic footwear two sizes too small, how the cracked heels hang over

the vine suggests sweet potato but notice the cradle of thorns

skiff ferry            militarized

eradication’s resourcefulness speaking in a high prestige language

jaundice shade of bombardment

singed skin grapheme

between ribs     what might be shale

the mother who isn’t

the father who isn’t

ramshackle peony

meridian bit in the mouth