Loss Glossary (Abbrev.)

 © Beth Roberts


AFTERBIRTH
Second born, of premature heft and a hundred red,
in the air and on the bed, maps where God slid.

LEGS
Air where they were
flexing doubled, God-red.

KEYS
Extensions of the digits,
especially index,
pinkie clink.

MIND
A day so white, what did it matter
I wanted a little red.

WAR
Too red meant we were losing and losing it.

MEMORY
Lost too, we were meaning and meant it.

BABY
I knew you when you were alone
in your father's mind, and,
milli-faceted gem, demolition,
a child's desk, red.

OBJECT
Saddled and bridled Asian horse, two inches
high, jade and gold, nostrils flared red.

MELODY
Fabricate with a bright thread running through it.

LIST
A small thing to save me, written in my body, and read there.