You and Me, Bess

we picked our way
down to the beach
watching the waves dragging out of our reach
dangling impales like a sodden sheep
dangling on thrills from the gut of the sea
hoarding our means
alfalfa and rose
trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
i hope mother nature has not overheard
though she doles out hurt like a buchan bird

stayed for the winter
no one told us about the laws of the land
i hold my own
but you with your hunger
you arm the other hand
make yourself known
and when we were found
i know we both grieved
my heart made the sound of snow falling from leaves
you and me, bess
we were as thick as thieves
so i swore nonetheless
up and down it was only me
so they took me away
and after some time
studying my case
must've made up their minds
by the time you realized i was dying
must've been too late
i believe you were not lying

it is the day i wake with my ears cocked up like a dawn
like everyday, of course
yanked by my wrist to the sugar front courtyard
tell me what have i done
seems i have stolen a horse
and escaped to the gallows
who do you think that you are
arching your hooves like a queen
in the shallow gutter that lines the roof
crowded with folks who just stare as i hang
it's all the same
kindness comes over me
what was your name
it makes no difference
I'm glad that you came
forever i'll listen to your glad name