To Billie Holiday’s If I Were You
Well, what can you do,
it was great fun while it lasted
Well, what can you do,
it was great fun while it lasted
I have your books, your mouth to remember me as well.
A pleasant meadow
where sleeping maids lay
one cousin awakes
The faces of children
encourage deeds
of innocence
no one to dine with
no one to smoke with
your suggestion, “I know a motel,”
coming to my room instead, prone amid sheets
I am one of those tainted, corrupted ones
who got green bile stuck in her throat,
who cant even speak
I have built a world for myself
slowly, and without design
Sea birds over the river
Hover in my dreams at night.