December 21

By Amy Lipman

I.

A child talks to God
Through the pipes of a furnace
She says
I will melt the icebergs
If you give me a new body

I will stop Hell's freezing
Turn your world into Earth
Wires snap
But Father's parched
Let him drink your milky thighs

II.

I prayed for solace
And you sent a jackhammer
Outside of my window
On Sabbath mornings
Cut down the tree outside my apartment
What does it matter
I still know the truth

Breathe in my trinity
Cough out the vines
Hugging tight both your hearts
Once your chest
Now a suitcase

You rain on my skin
Licks of strength, mostly charm
To call all the snakes home
We all crawl, scoot along
Slip forward on bellies