Marilyn
The radio announced that she was dead
As flatly as a Stock Exchange report.
My heart turned satin and began to shred
And leaked out doom and beauty. In the court
Of Heaven Gabriel reached up to wipe
God’s eye and Jesus hid his face behind
The bloodied robe of Raphael. A ripe,
Rich laughter echoed up from Hell and blind
Men felt nothing. On the radio, death
Was just another stretch of sound and things
Went on as usual. I found that breath
Was granular and gasped for angels’ wings.
A loss inside me, cancerous and whole,
Came hardened fully, deep inside my soul.
