You Rope That Pulls Them Where They Do Not Go

by Jean Valentine

You rope that pulls them where they do not go
horse running sideways
on only water

no school no teacher fire
made out of fire
poison houses

children in a rough line
holding onto a rope

a man with a cell phone pulling the rope
the reception breaking up

*

The man had to leave the books behind
Leave night behind I know you don’t
use words there

sleepwalking a word-scrap Day-walking
my Redeem’

I’m lifting something very light a blanket
Outside the window you’re lifting something
very heavy

Pat the rope then
chew the rope apart

I know you don’t have teeth there
I know you don’t have hands there.





Last updated March 18, 2023