I.
driving down
the morning mesa
sometime then
in a micro-second
the mountain exploded
II.
(Sing softly…)
rock-a-bye baby in the tree
top
when the wind blows, your
cradle will rock
when your bough breaks
the cradle will
fall
and down will come
Christopher
cradle and all
III.
we
learned
officer knocking
that evening, late
he thrust
an
iron poker in my chest
I remember the color red
stinging eyes
IV.
(chant slowly…)
Christopher Anson sat on a
wall
Christopher Anson had a
great fall
both of his parents and all
of his friends
couldn’t put Anson together
again
V.
Carl
your cat
six toes each foot
asleep
paws twitch
dreams
where you are
VI.
(Sing softly…)
mother put the kettle on
father put the kettle on
sister put the kettle on
just three for tea
VII.
every afternoon
sun heats your ashes
at night
holly leaves scratch
our window
VIII.
(Chant sing-song…)
ring around the rosie
pocket full of posies
Christopher is ashes
all fall down
IX.
you planted my garden
hoed my life
grew secrets we never
learned
you were in love
X.
(chant softly…)
Chris isn’t hot
Chris isn’t cold
Christopher’s in a box
thirty years old
XI.
meditate
still
point
breathing
you in
night stars
twinkling
XII.
sun-faced Buddha
Buddha of life
moon-faced Buddha
Buddha of death