Friday, May 14, 2004

who among us has not felt the dread
when sizing up a chicken
conveniently stripped of feathers and head

the easier to stick in
to the oven this thing shaped like me
with sallow, goose-pimpled skin

four limbs fall slack like a sleeping baby
I cradle your back and make you take
an onion down your cavity

and it’s patty cake, patty cake
into the oven you go
when you come out our meal you’ll make

and no one will bury your bones


--Jean-Michele Gregory