Paige Greer, to: Rosemary June Farmer

Little Lamb, Little Lamb God has shown me The Way, the sky informed me gifting the first rainy afternoon this May the pitter patter of water syncs with my bitter laughter as the wealthy Farmers preach about my inner pattern: “I only love my David Shepard Farmer, loving the rest of them is like loving a bunch of bastards”, Ma’s vow had broken, with a scowl on her face and furrowed brows, I disintegrated Isla raised to the surface and talked about her time in Bilbao-the way her flowy skirt would have all the men staring approvingly, about the carnal dance she had with a man named Olevar on Karraspio Beach-“He didn’t miss a crevice, Senora Johanna, my being trembled With every kiss upon flesh; puedo sentirlo ahora-To: Rosemary June Farmer From: David May 20, 1954 State Lunatic Hospital at Taunton, 60 Hodges Avenue, Taunton, MA 02780

Slap There was a flood in Bilbao today, coincidentally; perhaps the disquieting ripple of my right cheek sent shock waves through Adam’s Ale til the tremors reached the shore of Karraspio My head yanks with Ma’s every pull By the time Pa subdues her, Stygian curls lie in her iron grip her Greek nose turned up, repugnant She points agonizingly at my head “Hell is empty and all the devils are here” the heels of her Bloch Nicolas echo as she stomps savagely to the car Leaving Pa, a pen, and three papers --Emancipation, Restraining, Withdrawal-No exegesis, No frantic endearment Just the enrichment of my lunacy Just the beginning of the Farmers’ lunacy My Little Lamb: the truth dies with me My identity has been cleaved, crimson leaking from the dashes where my wings used to flourish But they will not tell you this they will tell the tale of the Mad Prince; the one that abdicated his throne because he knew he was not fit to rule a Lion, exploiting a bunch of Lambs

Keep those amber eyes alive, feel the uncomfortable atmosphere when my name reeks in the room, the pronunciation lurking under the tongues of snakes They will lie through their teeth, hissing their feigned sorrow to keep you ignorant I won’t allow it, Little Lamb Bite the Fruit Use it for protection, because: Hell is empty and all the devils share your last name