alligator
she rode an alligator
as a child
its skin was tough
its temper mild
until a threat
loomed
large and true
forced aground
then fell
to the blue
it swam for
her safety
toward what she knew
the alligator saved her
from hobnailed hearts
took her far from the
drunkards
and thieves
who bartered
childhood
and
did as they pleased
in sunlight and recesses
darker than sad dances
she found strength
and managed those passes
she rode
an alligator as a child
its skin
was tough
its temper was mild
they’d sung a private
battle hymn
for a child
she longed
for his strength
found that she missed him
the alligator
calmed her bones
and promised no harness
no strings
she was needed
and started to sing
did she miss him and kisses
she hardly knew
wearing alligator shoes?
when the author hisses
does anyone know
who is the wife?
who is the child?
she left the alligator
on her way to bold chances
halted her mad need for things
she struts unobserved
can a band save your life
who is the child?
what needs to be preserved?
start to sing unobserved
in the land of false manses
be poor and be rich
make them guess at your answers
I am here on the back
of a creature that hisses
I am here
that's a fact
get used to it bitches
