PURPLE HEART BLEED SOUR

salt the burn

Straight through, aim your rest, easy on heavy lids

Melted shadows leave for dead

Fractured skulls

incarcerated,

incinerated Hope ribbed, then maimed

Redemption Song

See the child in the yellow dress twirl her skull into the sand

until it melts

See her world turn into a grain, or lot

and sift what life is left

Purple Heart plant yourself here.

Watch it bloom — it’s all you ever had, Refrain