isaac melum betelgeuse

L.H. Sigourney is known as “the sweet singer of Hartford,” who was one of the first American women to succeed at a literary career.

for lydia

1. Connecticut

Desire is a song of ricocheting feathers. Knife arc: the shine-sunny morning. Listen. This is what happens when you die. Green light—afterghost beyondness—praise.

Home comes to those on their own terms.

2. Lydia

Where are you going lonesome spider-blade? Plum night? Toil on sand-based structure?

Iridescent newly-dead sing on a continuum. The simple human wish: good morning. Good morning.

Cobwebs in kitchen corners instead.

3. Afterlife

Dust. Could there be dust? Wallpaperless

Place she might call starlight. Common

Simple Further Here

Death is personal. This is what happens when You die. This is what happens when she dies, and he dies.

Bone as soft as charcoal. A leg full of shark teeth. A snake rattle between bed sheets. Half your fish body,

That pure muscle burnt into coal mirrors. I take a knife and create a cup of your skin. Let what was once melded fold, separate.

Did you bring your book? Did you see those excommunicated ghosts? Did the door open to another version of your home? Is it possible to turn calypso into fear?

4. The Birds of America

Cannon fire used to punch holes for the sun to shine through. Gilding Glade was named after a field of dead Goldfinch. A bird who molts twice, enjoys thickets and late timing.

Black cap and white under-coverts, perch body and conical beak. Now birds like the Purple Martin live in my attic, beat the wall nightly with its bill.