Avert your eyes

when they open the door 

enter

keep your arms to your side. 

keep your face clear.

keep silent. 

when you stand by his bed

don't ask what was done, why his teeth are blue, 

don't wonder where his blood went, 

why his cheeks look so defeated. 

stifle your cry 

when you look at his hands,

when you see your gold ring, 

just look once, look hard, 

then look away. 

don't take this day with you. 

leave it there. 

remember how it was to hold this man.

let that fall on you like snow

let it turn in you as winter. 

North

I always knew where to go 

and where I had to be.

I knew north, I knew 

north and north knew me. 

North was always waiting 

for my call, was glancing at the clock 

up on the wall.

North was always waiting,

always thinking, where 

where where could she be?

Was thinking she was due 

and I knew it too. 

I knew it too when 

it was time to go 

and I knew where to go 

and I knew what I knew 

was true.

No more of that now. 

no north I mean, 

no stalwart point of light 

to hold me fast,

no knowing that, 

no knowing all I knew.

But I do not travel blind now, 

I move from here to there. 

I know where to go 

and where I have to be. 

I know it all from memory.