Rust+Moth Summer 2012

My Mother Is Kneeling John McKernan Midnight beside the Christmas tree Slowly unplugging the last string Of lights as I lug my way to sleep Drugged by cocoa & marshmallows Up since 6 o’clock papers & ice She begins singing in German In a voice I have never heard “O Tannenbaum” rising to aria In blue light & silver ornaments That moment was the first time I died Slowly floating outside my body Into a thread of cool yellow light I don’t know where heaven is Any longer but I know it will have The smell of blue pine & the lilt in her voice