I am certain something tawdry, a craving for stiletto-heeled patent leather, perfume of tiger lilies and tobacco, swigs from the whiskey bottle, leaving rings of whore-red lipstick, evidence of the carnal slithers beneath pink skin. I am certain their forked tongues press hard against their palates so that strings of profanity remain caged, a virgin’s thighs shut tight. I am certain that rough neighborhoods’ wafting aromas, sticky nightclubs of glittery G-stringed putas, of gold-toothed criminals with teardrop tattoos make their hearts flutter, curl their hands into manicured talons, move their tongues to lick shiny bicuspids. All the while, their lips pursed in feigned disdain. I do not believe in pious women, but the red imprints of corset, pale lace, and garter upon breathing, hot flesh.

Oh, but how I have strayed. From my story, how I have strayed.

SHE LAMENTS UNNUMBERED LOSSES

SHE LAMENTS UNNUMBERED LOSSES

What things I have cast into the sea I have done this in order to forget my child if not for this you would curse your fathers their names their fists smother my every cry I have done this in order to forget my child the villagers tell me this is for the best their names their fists smother my every cry our medicine woman’s hands and tongue severed the villagers tell me this is for the best both age and fire have blinded her our medicine woman’s hands and tongue severed the air is rank with the fragrance of death both age and fire have blinded her my own mother has cast me away the air is rank with the fragrance of death I have bled and so I am impure my own mother has cast me away oh Holy Mary oh Mother of God I have bled and so I am impure pray for us sinners take me into your folds oh Holy Mary oh Mother of God the priests tell me I may yet be saved pray for us sinners take me into your folds under night’s cover they creep into my bed the priests tell me I may yet be saved they say in God’s name this is for the best under night’s cover they creep into my bed they teach me to pray force me onto my knees they say in God’s name this is for the best they tell me I am going to heaven they teach me to pray force me onto my knees I want to believe them I want to be saved they tell me I am going to heaven if not for this you would curse your fathers I want to believe them I want to be saved what things I have cast into the sea

A CHORUS OF VILLAGERS SING A SONG FROM ANOTHER TIME NOW ONLY A MEMORY

A CHORUS OF VILLAGERS SING A SONG FROM ANOTHER TIME NOW ONLY A MEMORY