70spoems/control*

AND THIS IS HOW MEN CONTROL YOU

No matter that
birds and sunlight
bathed in the garden
the white flew
past my eyes
it’s reflection
blinding distorting
my perceptions.
I knew it must be
cold that made
my bones hurt
through the flesh.
The skin tight
on my skinny
fingers said winter
is impending if
not forever. My
babies at home
without heat
or a father.
He threw silver
at his feet
its clanking
beating from
inside my brain
bruised my skull.
He stood there
dressed in wool
and smiled at
me through his
teeth.

10/8/76