CaptiveWater (duringKatrina)1. Hampstead Heathnew cootsslice thewater.I amthirsty.my throatbelieves hope is aquivering stag at theedge of gladenear abottomless wishing welltoo deepto reflect my face. knowingcoins arenot God’s messengers,I throw 1 fat quiddown the maw.I’m notgetting somethingcrucial aboutthisantlered sunrise.2.London Aquariumcarve thewater.I want thetruth split open.how do Iknow thesecreatures –with theiralwaysmoving mouths &twitching bodies –do notalso helplesslyrage thiscaliginous artificialdeep?3. BomJesus, Portugal in mistyfountain spraytoday, Iwill drink vinhoverde;observe fat carpmaking themselves dizzy fortourists with fistsof biscuits.a seethinggolden schoolslashingthe surface.we throwbread when itamuses us,like God. Ravenmemory offleshheaving tomy beak’s yanks andgashes.widecalculatedwings once circled apredictablefestivalof gore, entrails.black.clipped. patient.deliberate. menkill.ravensfall. men rise. wedrop.snatch anascentcolouredcrimson.mud darkagainst turquoise sky.skimming the end ofempires.NOTE:When the ravens leavethe Tower Of London – according to legend – the White Tower,the Monarchy& England will fall.They havebeen treated exceptionally well for over 300 years.Their wings are clipped. AbneyPark Cemeteryhaphazardclusters.gravesrubbed cleanof words,looping celticcrossknots split in one hundred shards ofshattered memory.shinyfresh tombstonesrecently flowered.fiveelders clutchatattered mapplodthroughbrambles.hold branches openlikedoors. searchfor oldmates.akestrel snatches birdsong.daisiespush up from broken sarcophagus,everyonehere is laughing.
