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The Book of Genesis Before holy or righteous, before the Law, Before sound was distilled (so many crossings-out) Into bet, aleph, niqqud, before all that: Song. Oh, to taste fricatives – damp from lip and palate – Dental trills, the Spirit chewed by teeth, Ejected from lungs, an offering. Oh, to know before, before, before the Book: Decision. Should the Fruit be plucked or crushed? And, love, what place love? 8
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Extreme Unction I’ve anointed the dying, smeared oil On the book of human skin, I’ve seen what we’re written in – Creases, scars, scabs – Witnessed terminal breath, I’ve known the final room; Christ lies, brittle on a hospital bed, Something slips free, a syllable of self – Sweet trill. Deep, deep the sound goes – He sings of Cross and ash, Soon, it will be accomplished, He dreams of milk and drool, Of bitter birth, brush of prayer on lips – He dreams of mother’s kiss, secret love – My God, why have you forgotten me? 9

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Extreme Unction

I’ve anointed the dying, smeared oil On the book of human skin, I’ve seen what we’re written in – Creases, scars, scabs – Witnessed terminal breath, I’ve known the final room; Christ lies, brittle on a hospital bed, Something slips free, a syllable of self – Sweet trill. Deep, deep the sound goes – He sings of Cross and ash, Soon, it will be accomplished, He dreams of milk and drool, Of bitter birth, brush of prayer on lips – He dreams of mother’s kiss, secret love – My God, why have you forgotten me?

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