Nancy Davies

True Life Algebra

May 2014
 

Let’s say:

water = heaven.

The baby tumbles down the well and drowns

soundlessly before her father hauls the frantic rope,

retrieves her shoeless blue corpse.

 

Let’s say:

water = heaven.

The assassin bludgeons his victim

and plunges him still breathing down a well.

Only sneaker soles show when the lid is lifted.

 

Let’s suppose:

water = death.

Or let’s suppose

water = eternal life.

 

Let’s suppose:

water = salvation.

or, does water = redemption?

 

What wars and losses did the child not suffer?

Or, for which crimes was the victim redeemed?

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