For my friend Linda**, who has schizophrenia, and is the most holy person I can think of.
Ragged and elegant
Fragile as cigarette ash
You collect all the pieces
Before you open your door
Your skin like dust
Your lips swollen
Your mouth kissed by the gods
Just left through the open window
Lying under your bed
Holding their breath
Licking you from their palms
Waiting in your nest until I’m gone
Painted mermaids, four pears
Piece of a sacred tree
Some of the sea
Sister with the tired eyes
And you, with your long hair
Seeing the future
Born again as your mothers mother
With all her seed and blood and fear
Held like heaven in the air
You are holy, holy
And god is everywhere
**Name has been changed to protect privacy.
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